Graphic & Web Design: Legal issues

If you're hosting other people's websites on your server, you MUST have a Terms & Conditions document that you send out to clients. In fact, one of the most important aspects of running any business is keeping the paperwork in order. Ensuring that you have the right paperwork for each project will ensure that you are protected from various problems that can arise. Therefore, it's worth investing in taking time to make sure all the required paperwork is in order.

Contracts

The mantra of all freelancers: 'make sure you get it in writing'. Contracts should be signed by your client in accordance with your terms and conditions, which sets out how you do business (including credit terms, cancellation fee, if any, which expenses are chargeable to the client). This is mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

Data protection

If you obtain, store or use personal details from customers, suppliers or other contacts, it is a legal requirement that you comply with the eight main principles of the Data Protection Act to protect people's privacy. You need to make sure that you are also GDPR compliant when it comes to running your freelancer business.

Copyright

Copyright gives creators the legal right to control the use of their material, in restricting unauthorized copying and reproduction by others.

Marking your copyright work with the copyright symbol © followed by your name and the date will warn others against copying it, but it is not legally essential in the UK.

Lawsuits by clients

Make sure that your client signs off every stage of work and that you get this in writing, especially when going to print.

Insurance tailored specifically for freelancers is available; many freelancers recommend looking at the various insurance policies which are available to protect you in the event of claims made against you. Further details can be found here

Free-Work has further information here Contracts & Schedules.

More on graphic designing as a freelancer.