Flash File Dilema
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- kmac44
A while back, I was working freelance with a company and they hired me to design a new website. For a time, when they had updates, they would pay me to do the updates and everything was fine. They decided to stop using me 6 months ago, and recently emailed demanding I turn over my flash files so they can have an outside company update their site. In my contract with them, it specifies they own the finished artwork, and the site was not negotiated as turn-key. I have explained this over and over again, but they are starting to stalk me and are attempting to "strong arm" me into turning over my working flash files. They have the finished site, all the swf files and html. What would you recommend in this situation?
- mikotondria30
Fuck them.
Say you created the swf using an open-source swf compiler...tell them their new designer would know this if they'd even tried decompiling it.
Tell them you'll do a one-time job for $1000 dollars and create an editable fla of the piece, otherwise you'll issue a cease and decist.- yeah, that's where I am. I've bent over backward. They didn't buy the source files, they bought the finished site, which it I gave them. Now they want to update my site cheap. They are going over seas to Nepal.kmac44
- <-- I'm with himnicnichols
- thanks! it's nice to get support from others in the field so I know i'm not crazy!kmac44
- pylon0
Wow, that's a little harsh mikotondria3.
Tell them you'll prepare an editable file for them for a fee. And be a gentleman about it FFS and comment your AS for the next guy.
Just remember that next time 'round you could be the *next guy* who's working for a new client and is trying to get files from the client's previous designer who's giving nothing but attitude.
- pylon0
So it'll take you, what, five minutes to email them the file again? And then they're off your back? Just send them the file and then shut the door.
- kult0
You've sent the files once already and they couldn't find them? So..send it again.
- Machuse0
what industry do they work under/with? - just curious b/c their wealthy and cheap.
I've found that once a company makes it big - they usually try to share the wealth or at least pay above market rate. (I could be wrong - just curious)
- powertoni0
Its been my experience that this is such a difficult position to defend, that unless you have if in your contract in very clear bold font that they have no rights to your proprietary source unless they agree to pay for it, they will just end up disturbing your peace for a long time.
It sounds like the relationship is already soured. I would chalk this up to a painful lesson, send them the files on a dvd via registered mail & get them out of your life before the situation gets any more painful.