Who Owns Code, Content & Images?

[mushroom51]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I have built and maintained a website for a business that has resulted in a substantial increase in their business. All text, images and embedded links (etc) were created and made functional by me. I have placed a copyright notice at the bottom of each page. There is some friction between myself and the business owners regarding compensation for the site. The domain is in my name. They are demanding ftp and hosting account passwords and a copy of all source code (although viewable in any browser through "view - source" command) claiming that they are only trying to cover themselves if something were to happen to me - in itself not unreasonable. I feel that they want to try to replace me which, of course is their chioce, and either attempt to modify the site themselves (good luck) or turn it over to another webmaster for maintenance. If that is the case, what laws and/or protections are there to protect my work?

 

[Siflan]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I have built and maintained a website for a business that has resulted in a substantial increase in their business. All text, images and embedded links (etc) were created and made functional by me. I have placed a copyright notice at the bottom of each page. There is some friction between myself and the business owners regarding compensation for the site. The domain is in my name. They are demanding ftp and hosting account passwords and a copy of all source code (although viewable in any browser through "view - source" command) claiming that they are only trying to cover themselves if something were to happen to me - in itself not unreasonable. I feel that they want to try to replace me which, of course is their chioce, and either attempt to modify the site themselves (good luck) or turn it over to another webmaster for maintenance. If that is the case, what laws and/or protections are there to protect my work?

Your question will be answered in only one thread. Please erase the other threads. Stick to one. The "shot gun" approach doesn't work here. That is ... of course, you want an answer. Just saying.

 

[mushroom51]

Didn't mean to do a double entry. I got logged out and then logged back in. How do I erase duplicate post?

 

[Siflan]

Didn't mean to do a double entry. I got logged out and then logged back in. How do I erase duplicate post?

A cool little button. "Edit".

 

[LdiJ]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I have built and maintained a website for a business that has resulted in a substantial increase in their business. All text, images and embedded links (etc) were created and made functional by me. I have placed a copyright notice at the bottom of each page. There is some friction between myself and the business owners regarding compensation for the site. The domain is in my name. They are demanding ftp and hosting account passwords and a copy of all source code (although viewable in any browser through "view - source" command) claiming that they are only trying to cover themselves if something were to happen to me - in itself not unreasonable. I feel that they want to try to replace me which, of course is their chioce, and either attempt to modify the site themselves (good luck) or turn it over to another webmaster for maintenance. If that is the case, what laws and/or protections are there to protect my work?

What does your contract state? I would suspect that in most cases if someone is compensated for building and designing a website then it belongs to the business who paid for it. Does the business know that you put the domain in your name?

 

[justalayman]

were you an employee of the business?


were you hired to create and act as webmaster?


were you compensated for creating the work?


were you hired to provide a web service including creating a webpage?