Just sold a logo to a client. I would like to know if any of you could give me ideas on how to word a document that would "transfer" the copyright to them. I want it to look professional and legal looking.
Any insight?
Thanks!
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
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It's the book "Graphic Artists Guild Handbook : Pricing & Ethical Guidelines" (Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, 10th Edition) by Graphics Artists Guild It has document for tranfering rights and/or registering an actual copywrite for a design and legal explanation for why and how. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Thanks for the reply Rick, but I need to have something for tomorrow when I go to collect the payment.
Thanks
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
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They state that there is no official transfer form but that there are specific procedures (outlined there) on how to go about recording the transfer.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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I have a tough time copywriting somthing I was paid to produce. If someone pays for a logo, they own it right? I have never found a good answer to this mystery
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3486 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Copyright law is one of my favorite subjects. Its actually a LOT easier than it sounds. the documents Kimberly directed you to are useful... but they tend to make things overly complex.
It is really simple! Here's all you need to do. Make up an invoice, pretty much like this:
::::: Your Name
INVOICE date
Design of logo/mark for ___ (customer); includes unconditional usage.
$ amount :::::
That's all you need. That is a legal contract (just fill in their name, your name (or company name) and the date and the amount.
By the way, you aren't actually "transfering" the rights to them... you are selling them the "unconditional usage" of your design. that means they can use it as long as they want in any way they want. if you use the word "transfer" it means something different.
If you want me to explain that further, just ask.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Scooter is pretty much there. You are "giving license for someones use of your copyrights. You write a letter conveying the terms of license, and spell them out clearly. Sometimes it single use, sometimes limited, sometimes unconditional allowing them to even sell the artwork to another entity. Copyrights are fairly simple and inexpensive to expenseless. Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are another story, but what a business will ultimately be seeking. They cost 3-5 hundred, with re-fees every few years. Quite a bit more controlable for an owner though, and much easier to prosecute in the courts.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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you can put the rights into the form of a signed letter, but i find it easier to do it on the invoice -- that way if they don't pay you, they don't have the rights. if their check bounces and they use the logo, you can sue them for the bounced check AND for violation of your copyright. an invoice is the simplest form of contract you can write.
in this case, you are selling "unconditional" rights -- meaning that you have no restrictions or conditions on their use of the logo.
why unconditional? if the company changes hands, for instance, they can transfer their rights to the new owner without asking you. if the company opens an overseas branch, they have international use of the logo without paying you extra. in other words, they have all rights to use the logo in any way they see fit.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Rights of transfer and logo copyright has to be addressed prior to any design, at the signing of a contract, otherwise you can design something, show them a design, they can reject it, and then turn around and design one with the same "look" as your design. Yu give up your rights because you specifically did not spell it out for them prior to them seeing a design concept. Any legal jargon on the bottom of the drawing is useless without an acknowledgement like a sign contract. I believe if you are going to do any work like this, the book I mentioned will help, it is written for designers, by designers an is a very reputable organization. The AIGA has a book as well an I highly reccomend that one to. AIGA and GAG was partially founded on the premise of protecting the rights of designers by being a representative for designers. The Contracts and Forms included in these books have been written specifically for designers to protect thier rights and the rights of the client and to infom them of thier usage right for a design you have made for them. It's a must have book for legal design issues. Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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