Copyright question
Hi All,
I wasn't sure which forum to post this question. You have been a great help in the past.
My client has a Web site with this copyright(see below). He wants me to create a new site for him. What can I take from the original site? The catalog of items for sale(this is a copy of his printed catalog)? His press release? His page of expert advice to users?
Do I need to change everything? Please help
I plan to remove the original copyright info and replace with my name as the "Designer"
Thank you,
MichelleB
[email protected]
All contents including text and graphics are the exclusive property and copyright of "Client" and "Designer" - (c) 1999, All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Brian Farkas posted this at 19:28 — 28th January 2001.
They have: 1,015 posts
Joined: Apr 1999
Hi Michelle-
You should be able to use ALL the content on the current client site, if he/she is hiring you to do a redesign... That is because it appears that the CLIENT owns the copyright to all of the content on the site, so he/she would have every right to use the content in a new design.
I hope this helps!
Brian Farkas
AndyB posted this at 20:12 — 28th January 2001.
They have: 344 posts
Joined: Aug 1999
I tend agree with Brian ... but since the wording 'All contents including text and graphics are the exclusive property and copyright of "Client" and "Designer" ' leaves it an open question as to precisely which parts belong to which party ... just ask your client which parts of his existing site he wants you to use, and can he confirm that those are indeed free for re-use.
MichelleB posted this at 22:49 — 28th January 2001.
They have: 44 posts
Joined: May 2000
Thanks for the quick replys.
The client does not know what he owns and what the designer owns.
The client supplied the designer with the text for the catalog, press release, and advise column. Can I assume the client owns this content?
I think it is best to change the graphics, since I don't know if he owns the rights to these.
My client has been unable to contact the designer. That is why he came to me.
Thank you again for your help,
MichelleB
[email protected]
AndyB posted this at 22:57 — 28th January 2001.
They have: 344 posts
Joined: Aug 1999
I would think that the text he provided is definitely his; if there were photographs of his product I expect those are his as well (unless he contracted with someone to take the pix).
Tricky subject .... I expect he'll make sure that when he has his site makeover finished you'll both know who owns what:)
anti posted this at 15:03 — 29th January 2001.
They have: 453 posts
Joined: Jan 1999
I would say this is a high risk sale ....
You have to assume that "designer" owns the whole design.
That includes navigational elements, layout, color-schemes, hierachy of the site, etc.
Ask your client if he gave the pictures to the designer.
If not you can at least use those.
Years ago I used that copyright statement to prevent clients to work with other "designers".
And yes, you can break the copyright by reusing the colors !
(No, you can't copyright "black on white", but you can copyright "#ff0000 on #00ff00 navbar with #ffff00 text on #336699 background with #663399 and #9933ff logo".)
Be carefull, this is calling for trouble.
I know it, I've been on the other side.
MichelleB posted this at 17:54 — 29th January 2001.
They have: 44 posts
Joined: May 2000
Thank you for such a thorough answer. I plan a complete makeover.
Another question please:
If the client keeps his original site and hires me to maintain it, what can I change? Add new pages? Delete pages? Update catalog? Add photos? etc?
Thanks again,
MichelleB
[email protected]
Justin S posted this at 18:22 — 29th January 2001.
They have: 2,076 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
If he asks specifically to "maintain it," then I'd say he just wants you to keep all the content current and up to date, which includes doing updated that he wants done. Now redesigning the site could be a part of this, but only if the client wants that done. You could suggest a redesign to him as well.
Justin Stayton - [email] [icq]
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