Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac.programmer:2111 comp.software-eng:763
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From: tenney@well.UUCP (Glenn S. Tenney)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer,comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: Work for Hire contracts
Message-ID: <6832@well.UUCP>
Date: 17 Aug 88 07:20:13 GMT
References: <496@hudson.acc.virginia.edu> <25636@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <25638@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> <3110@sdsu.UUCP>
Reply-To: tenney@well.UUCP (Glenn S. Tenney)
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 18

A few comments re: the original and another followup...
1. Yes, some states (CA is one) have laws protecting EMPLOYEES.  These
laws do *not* cover contractors.

2. As for a contractor, well you are usually paid a hefty sum or your work.
If you want to retain rights, then negotiate those terms.  Without such
negotiations, you are right, the people paying for the work own it.  No one
is 'forcing' you to do the work there.  However, if I hired you to develop,
an accounting program for my business, I wouldn't want my competitors getting 
it from you --- would you?

3. This is a bit similar to hiring an artist to do custom work.  If you
buy their existing (or modified to your desires) work, then the rights
usually remain with the author/artist.  If, you hire that artist to be
an almost employee and do the work under your close supervision then
you are usually entitled to the rights.

Glenn Tenney