Sell open source flash file
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- bca
I have done som flash work for a client and now the client wants the open source code, the open source was not included in the first deal, is there some sort of standard of what i should charge? Or should i just give it to them?
- blindpilot0
i suppose if the source files were expicitly omitted from the deal, ie, if it was actually spelt out, then you should charge, but otherwise - i would say it belongs to them, they paid you to do work for them the source file is part of that
if you piss them off by making them pay, it'll cost you more in the long run - no further work/ammends and badmouthing etc
- bca0
Hmm... you're right but a friend of mine he's a musician and if someone wants to buy the production file it costs big time. Same goes with the original work if you're an illustrator.
- stewart0
normally he only paid for the end product, not the work files.
you're not giving away your quark/indesign files for free to your clients, are you?
- bca0
I have never encountred the problem before. This time it's pretty simple stuff but next time it might be complicated actionscripting etc...
it was not part of the deal but i have no idea of what i should charge
- trooperbill0
give them him, let him know theyre your copyright and that no one else has permission to edit your files.
mark
- JazX0
this question is posted on NT, let's say on average every three months. if it's not in your original contract, then he/she must pay. they should have stipulated that they needed source control from the get go. that's to your advantage as a developer. :)
- bca0
trooperbill: thats exactly what they want to do, take the source code and let someone else do the forthcoming development.
- JazX0
well yeah, but see you got them in a good situation, unless they are planning on hacking your .swf, which they can do, but more than likely they are not educated enough to do it. Ask for $
- unfittoprint0
a real good coder
has already a certain 'signature'___
its logic might be hard to read by another__
__ and if some of your assets are compiled while exporting
it can be useless in their hands.
- max_prophet0
charge them buttniggers 50% of the original cost, be diplomatic with those moneygrabbing cocksuckers and suggest the slimy motherfuckers let you do the goddamm work. Dont forget to smile and be friendly to those assraping faggots.
the Lord is the Light.
- shaft0
The fla file is your custom made tool you had to prepare in order to make the swf. There's your know how in this file. You don't give away tools and tricks of the trade on demand.
I'f you ordered a meal in a restaurant it might even be rude to expect chef to give away the recipe.
- instantok0
add a zero to the end of your bill (before the decimal point :)...or you can set something up so that you retain ownership of the code and they can lease the source file from you for an annual fee
- bca0
here is a little compilation of the inputs i have got, from you and others. it's a difficult question, no doubt.
•charge 25-50 % of original cost.
•what future potential does the client have.
•how big was the production.
•how specific or widely will the usage of the open source be.
•be diplomatic and smile (thanks max)
•make sure to check what deal was in the first placethanks a lot!!!
- trooperbill0
trooperbill: thats exactly what they want to do, take the source code and let someone else do the forthcoming development.
THEN TELL THEM THEY DONT HAVE THE COPYRIGHT, but theyre very welcome to reemburse you for the loss of revenue due to your input being denied then work out how much money youre loosing by giving them the files and charge that.
- shotoshi0
the client has paid you so give him the source files - they're his.
- sparker0
a question, why did you say "open-source?"
did you license it under the GPL (or other appropriate OSI license)?
you are not selling and "open-source" file, you're selling your proprietary source code for that specific flash product.
i hate to be nit-picky about this, but if you're going to ask a question and use industry nomenclature to describe something, at least get it right.
as for the ownership of the file, check the contract carefully. sometimes clients like to use overtly broad definitions for "source" and "end-product."
most of the time, to legally stand up, you MUST have a clause in your contract or business model that specifically say you retain ownership of source code.
otherwise the battle can be more difficult. was the client aware the closed source file was not part of the transfer of ownership? if not, then the contract wasn't clear and will be harder to enforce.
note, i didn't say impossible, just harder.
- max_prophet0
why are you (I'm presuming you are) programmers always so anal, you simply can't let something go can you, remind me to pull you up and kick your face off next time you come to church with the smell of semen on your knuckles.
- myobie0
technically you own it, but you can give it away for free if you like...
but it's your copy-write until you give it away...
i always ask the people up front and make sure they understand
- myobie0
and their not open source, their just source code...
open source means free for anyone to look at...not that it matters, but if you wondered, you just won half the battle...
- unfittoprint0
lol@max