I know that copyright law is a very deep subject, but I'm curiouc - couldn't the source code be considered part of their IP, or at minimum a company asset? If so, couldn't they sell or license it just like any other IP or asset? How does(or is) that affected by you retaining copyright? Are you simply granting them and exclusive, perpetual license to use and duplicate the code? I've heard of programmers retaining copyright/ownership to portions or algorithms developed (which may or may not reside in a seperate library or file) but I hadn't considered the idea of retaining complete copyright. -Adam David Koski wrote: >On Tue, 26 Mar 2002 16:04:31 +1200 >Jinx wrote: > >>>I will be developing some PIC code for a small project under >>>contract on an hourly basis. The company has expressed >>>concern with my retaining copyright. I think the real concern >>>is about me producing a competetive product on my own, >>> >>Just my $0.02 from previous work >> >>Whatever you are paid for a job, you always retain copyright >>unless you sign it away. You can also sign a non-disclosure >>agreement or similar, which will preclude you from poaching >>their idea (it's their idea I presume) and making a competitive >>product >> >>As a contractor, with no interest in their final product, you are >>entitled to no more payment than what you are paid on the >>hourly basis. However, that doesn't settle the issue of copyright. >>If they won't buy it or you won't sell it, then it's stalemate and >>they'll go somewhere else >> >>Just be careful. I've had a couple of clients go very "funny" >>when copyright ownership was brought up. It worked out in >>the end, but the initial shock of being told that they do not own >>what they paid for made for tense conversations, and there's >>always a feeling of mistrust. Keep it friendly, business-like >>and non-threatening and you should be OK, but make sure >>it gets settled now >> > >The compensation is (xx per hour) is spelled out and I have made it clear that I >will own the copyright and why. I am looking for a way to say, "you can use the >source code for your own benefit but you will not let it get out of your hands >except for someone else developing it for you. Furthermore, I agree not to >disclose your idea or to compete with you by producing a like product." >However, there really is little to disclose on my part though as it is so simple >in concept and implementation. > >Regards, >David Koski >david@KosmosIsland.com > >-- >http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! >email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body