Client wants work files
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- amadio4
So, I just did a website for a client and they want the work files. I'm a freelancer and I had them sign the AIGA standard form of agreement before I started any work. It goes into some wording about preliminary concepts and visual presentations remaining ownership of the designer, but it's not specific about work files. Is that enough to back up why they shouldn't get them? I've never had this problem before. Does anyone have any helpful feedback? I hope this post doesn't get the timeline.
- ********0
I've never dealt with this.
Keep them happy all the way through and get the site launched. Shortly afterward they'll ask you about the source files. Tell them that they cost extra. If they're in love with the site they'll pay extra. Take the money and send them an ftp full of animal porn instead. this way it will be a learning experience for them and not you, REMEMBER- learning is painful and it sucks.
- amadio40
Thanks! Anyone else have any ideas?
- ********0
had the same situation recently - would eagerly await some input too..
- jakeyj0
if you have already gotten paid, why are you hesitating to turn over the files?
- kelpie0
what files do they mean? source code? PSD's?
- joyride0
seriously, if they paid you, its a wrap. Give them the source files. If you gave them an accurate bid, and feel the price is justified, everything will be cool.
- amadio40
I have yet to be paid. And what they're asking for specifically is all my flash fla.'s
- joyride0
Ah... then no way! Tell them once the invoice is paid, you'll deliver a cd, dvd, zip or whatever else. Thats all you got to keep them from not paying. and make sure you can take the site down if they begin to get flaky.
Kinda sucks, but its business.
- kelpie0
surely strip any important code nuggets they can just take and use themselves with someone cheaper first. or at least de-comment it.
just to be a cunt, y'know?
- amadio40
I don't know. I did a lot of overtime work and didn't charge them, I also designed a logo and didn't charge them... I guess at this point I'll use the fla.'s as leverage for final payment. In the future, I'll make sure to specfically state that I don't provide source files after the projects are completed. I guess I'll take this as a learning experience. Kelpie, in the end, yeah, the files I give them probably won't work very well.
- joyride0
its funny, i've got a client i'm about to put a suspend page on. They held out 2 months on paying anything and wanted more work done. Good thing its on my server. They've offered $500 by the end of the week. And they want the other stuff added. Not sure if i'm going to give it to them yet. I think i'll hold out for the other 1000 before adding anymore. I just don't trust em'.
- jamble0
I don't usually turn over source files for my work.
The only real reason a client would need them is to make changes themselves and if this what was needed it would have been agreed before hand.
I'd certainly steer well clear of turning over source material before you've been paid though!
- kelpie0
remember the golden rule:
everyone else is bad and wrong and they are out to get you.
act in light of that rule and you can't go wrong.
- cram0
you are in no way obligated to give them the source files. they purchased a website, which i assume they recieved.
truthfully though, if they are happy with your services, they will come back to you with or without the source files. and if they aren't happy, they won't come back anyway.
i definitely wouldn't give them the files without payment. if you do give them the files, have them sign a new contract stating that the files are only to be used as backup for the specified website. they cannot be resold or repurposed. the code remains a copyrighted property of the designer and may not be modified without permission.
they need to pay you dude.
- amadio40
I'm taking notes...
- cram0
this sort of thing makes me crazy really. the client should know better. why do they think they should get the source? if you buy photoshop, you get a working program, no way you will ever get the source code.
well, if it is an html site, they already have all the source they need to support the site. the images are working images, duh. they don't need the source for that. if it is a flash site, it is reasonable that they may want to update some text and not have to pay and wait on you every time. is there a way you could make this easy for them? load text that might change often from text files or something?
i have given clients source files before, there are good reasons to do so. if you do however, two things:
1. they should have paid in full for original job.
2. make them sign a release form stating that the files are only to be used in support of the site you built. they will be charged a licensing fee for each additional usage. make it look like a standard thing and they won't be offended.
- ********0
i have a court date on the 30th of this month; a client agreed to pay, asked to see the souce code, and then never paid - I had him explicitly agree to terms in an email, we'll see how it holds up.
if you don't have FINAL payment in your hand, don't give the files away. EVER. If they pay you and ask for the files, there are no rules; i would charge them though.
- ********0
p.s. i build all my sites so they're updateable w/xml - we agree on the content that can be updateable; (just content - if they want to restructure the site then they have to hire me again)
THIS way, i charge more because it's more robust, and then pitch to clients that they're saving money because they won't have to hire me for updates.
- tomson0
it sounds as though the brief is unclear. if it is part of the brief to create editable source files and they have contracted you to do so then they would expect that as a delivery.
otherwise if the brief is to create a site then the deliverables would only include the files that go on the web.perhaps you can state that you generally do not follow a practise of giving the client access to your work files but merely to the results of your work.
also perhaps you can schedule a delivery so that they receive a web ready site first, for which you get paid in full. and if you really like the client and would like to continue working with them then discuss the option of granting them access to the editable source files.