Rights on removing copyrighted graphics/programming

[UnContracted]

Myself and a partner run a small web design/programming business. We have been working with one of our clients for 4+ years. He was one of our first official clients and our contract was a handshake. I know, we know better now and don't do business this way any longer, but did not get a signed contract from this particular client. It has been increasingly more difficult to get payment from him in the last 8-12 months. Right now he is 2 months in arrears to the tune of $6500.00. His last payment check to us was returned. What recourse do we have in removing all of our design/programming work from his site? Any suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ALawyer]

Your remedy is to stop doing new work and sue him for what you are entitled to.

Self-help by using your access to the site and removing or destroying work that you delivered -- even though he did not pay yet -- is wrong and could get you to owe him far more and create other trouble that goes well beyond the money due you.

 

[UnContracted]

Thank you...one more question

We had no plans to go in and remove anything. However, if he does not pay his balance, we do not want to allow him any further use of our design/programming elements. Is it not true that we own the copyright to this material, as we never released any copyrights to him? I understand from some basic research that we would need to request the removal in writing to him. I'm in CA btw. Thanks again for your very quick answer.