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Agency wants me to remove copyright on logo visuals before they present to client.

15 May 2011 10:56

Hi,

I'm relatively new to working as a freelancer through design agencies. An agency (which only consists of one man at present) outsources design work to freelancers. He has asked me to design 3 logo visuals for a client of his which I have completed and sent him the visuals as a PDF ready for him to pitch to his client.

He has recently asked me to remove my copyright notice, which I have placed at the bottom of each visual as protection as I am yet to be paid for the work.

I am dubious about the situation because I have been quite informal about the agreement in the sense that I haven't drawn up a written contract and had him sign it.

How can I protect myself in this situation if I remove the copyright from the visuals? I apologise if I come across naive but I normally work for clients who are friends and government bodies that are trusted.

Thanks

ansteydesign 27 July 2011 22:26

Copyright

It's quite simple really - as you created the artwork you own the copyright, with or without your mark. I imagine the agency has simply not told his client he is using you and doesn't want hisclient to know he is outsourcing. However I would stress that you get some t&c's drawn up as quickly as possible.

If things ever got to a point where you needed to go to court then things like emails to and from your client discussing the work, versions of your logos, notes from phone calls, sketches all help to prove your ownership of the artwork. Again, the best way to protect yourself is getting your terms and conditions in place. These can simply be placed at the end of your estimates and invoices.

Hope this helps!