If he designed it, he owns the copyright for the original logo. If he wanted to get someone else to vector it, he can. You likely own the copyright for the vector version and any major changes. However, the copyright isn't so relevant here as is the fact you worked on it. If you did the work to vectorize it and add changes, he cannot use it without getting a release or some other type of agreement from you
( ... )
Having a contract drawn up never crossed my mind until maybe last week, I'm so used to doing non-commercial hobby graphic design, for myself, and non-collaborative. Now that I know, I can learn what I need to stick on a contract for future reference.
He can't use the vector version without unlawfully getting it off of my computer.
It's also not worth it to sue over maybe ~10 hours of amateur work, so I wouldn't bother. I should've documented more carefully how much I worked on it, as well. ARGH. Stupid self.
Can a contract be written up including work done before writing the contract? I'm guessing not.
Can a contract be written up including work done before writing the contract? I'm guessing not.
If you're coming to an agreement on past work through the contract, then yes. That's really what a contract is anyway: an agreement. I'm not a laywer, but I play one on TV so I can't say I'm well versed in the nitty gritty, but if two parties come to an agreement on how something you made in the past can and can't be used, sure you can make a contract for it. It happens all time, for example an author writing a book and then licensing the copyright to the publisher. (Rarely do publishers and authors sign a contract before a book is written; only with high-selling authors that the publisher knows will actually finish the thing.)
I'll have to look into what exactly I need to write into the contract, but you've gotten me on the right track for sure. There's going to be a long discussion in my future, I knows it. :(
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He can't use the vector version without unlawfully getting it off of my computer.
It's also not worth it to sue over maybe ~10 hours of amateur work, so I wouldn't bother. I should've documented more carefully how much I worked on it, as well. ARGH. Stupid self.
Can a contract be written up including work done before writing the contract? I'm guessing not.
Thanks a ton.
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If you're coming to an agreement on past work through the contract, then yes. That's really what a contract is anyway: an agreement. I'm not a laywer, but I play one on TV so I can't say I'm well versed in the nitty gritty, but if two parties come to an agreement on how something you made in the past can and can't be used, sure you can make a contract for it. It happens all time, for example an author writing a book and then licensing the copyright to the publisher. (Rarely do publishers and authors sign a contract before a book is written; only with high-selling authors that the publisher knows will actually finish the thing.)
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I'll have to look into what exactly I need to write into the contract, but you've gotten me on the right track for sure. There's going to be a long discussion in my future, I knows it. :(
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