DVXGalt
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Jan 10, 2006, 5:37 PM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: [eeha] how to deal with final files when they are done - copyright issues
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"No contract" is always ugly at the end.
The answer somewhat depends on your client. Traditionally (but not always) corporate clients get rights to the work (as though a work-for-hire) and the contracts refelect this. Not everyone does things this way. My contracts give clients a copyright interest in the finished work, but not any raw files or intermediate workfiles. This lets them do what they want with the final product, including making copies or re-editing / adding to it by someone else.
But LEGALLY, in the absence of a contract, all they have a right to is use of the final product, and not any of the raw video, intermediate workfiles, .veg files, EDLs, AE workfiles, etc... They do not own a copyright interest in the work, nor can they modify it without your permission. Technically they can't even make copies of the final product without your permission. All this assumes no contract.
If you decide to play it "legal", I suggest you spend an hour with an attorney BEFORE you tell this to the client.
IANAA !!!
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but do they have the right to fry me ? 
