Hello Everyone. I am working with a client who is requesting that I release the copyright to my artwork so as they can get state bids on the sign work. Question, if you release the copyright, should that price include the actual working files? Advice much appreciated. And if you care to share what you normally charge for this type of thing, that would be much appreciated as well, but not expected. Thank you all for your time. Best Regards, SE
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I charge good for design. If the client pays in full then they own the artwork and the rights to it. The assumption is that we will not necessarily get the work to produce the sign.
Design and the cost of producing the sign are two different things.
I know many will consider the rights to a sign as a different thing from design... I like to include it right up front as part of the design cost. If you show the client the design you have in effect given it to them. The cost of defending a design and the rights are far too high both in terms of time and the energy expended. Sell it once and move on to bigger and better things.
-grampa dan
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I think the first thing we would need to know is whether or not the client has paid for the artwork. If not, you'll need to determine a price for it.
Do not mention the actual working files unless they specifically ask for them. If they do, you need to determine a separate fee.
Now comes to the question of price. To be honest, only you can answer the question of what it is worth to you. How much time did it take you? What is your skill level? How difficult would it be for someone to duplicate from scratch?
I try to avoid issues like this by first having a policy and fee schedule setup first.
My minimum fee for a logo design is $250us. I specify that the fee includes 2 different designs and 1 revision. Additional comps and revisions are billed at $75 per hour afterward. The only thing the client is entitled to are professional-level matted prints of the final design.
A copy of the actual working files are available for a fee. The fee is determined by me based on how the work is to be used and reproduced. For example, a client had us to produce a logo. In the end, we were paid $1000. The client got a set of "PMT's" and a color key. All of it was professionally done, not just printed out of a deskjet on copy paper. The client later requested the working files so they could have other types of work done. Some of the work we could have done and some we could not.
Three thoughts came to mind in determining the price. One, how long would it take someone to reproduce the files from scratch? Two, how credible am I in the eyes of the client as a professional? Three, how will the price effect my relationship with the client and possible future work?
I sold the files for $1500.00 and I still continue to do work for the client.
I hope this helps in some way.
[ February 02, 2011, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
Posted by Sarah F.Evans (Member # 7022) on :
Thanks so much for this advice. I know inside how I truly feel about it, but it's really great to have some external influence in the face of any doubt. Cheers, SE
