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From agency to freelance: can I use the agency's material in my portfolio?
I am about to move from an agency to start as a freelance. My main area of business is creating 3D graphics for all sorts of promotional / educational purposes.
I have worked with the agency for about 10 years, obviously creating heaps of graphics in this time for their clients.
I of course need to create a portfolio to generate work as a freelance but am concerned that the agency hold the copyright to the graphics I have created for them, and could sue me for using this material to promote myself.
To create work from scratch for my portfolio would take weeks, with no one to invoice for that time. This could be a major obstacle to making my escape. My boss is not a nice man.
Has anyone been through this already and can say what they did and what happened - good or bad?
Many thanks.
I have worked with the agency for about 10 years, obviously creating heaps of graphics in this time for their clients.
I of course need to create a portfolio to generate work as a freelance but am concerned that the agency hold the copyright to the graphics I have created for them, and could sue me for using this material to promote myself.
To create work from scratch for my portfolio would take weeks, with no one to invoice for that time. This could be a major obstacle to making my escape. My boss is not a nice man.
Has anyone been through this already and can say what they did and what happened - good or bad?
Many thanks.
- Contact in PM
Faizan-uk
Messages count : 13Likes count : 0Registration : 13 May 2007I don't see why they would have a problem if you mention that you did this and that work for that agency. Afterall, it's YOUR work. - Contact in PM
glebe digital
Messages count : 105Likes count : 2Registration : 21 December 2006Good luck taking the plunge. :happy
You will need permission first, which is imperative if you intend to host these images and examples on your website.
If the work remains 'off net' and never leaves your hard-drive, there's no problem with collating all your hard work.........CGI Specialist - Contact in PM
Marble Man
Messages count : 2Likes count : 0Registration : 30 May 2007Thanks for the posts.
I am seeing a solicitor on Monday to ask about this and other issues like taking clients with me.
I am the only one in my studio that does the CGI so if they lose me they will lose these clients anyway. But I don't think they'll see it like that somehow.
Will post any valuable insights from the solicitor to this thread - cannot be just me that's in this trap. I thought intellectual property was shifting in favour the creator of the material... - Contact in PM
glebe digital
Messages count : 105Likes count : 2Registration : 21 December 2006If you're an 'employee' and produce CG work, then the company retains copyright.
If you're freelance, you retain copyright unless you've signed a contract stipulalting the release in favour of your client.
:happyCGI Specialist