So, a little background. I'm a freelancer in my industry. I work both one-off projects that last a few hours, to several weeks at a time with repeat clients. I am paid my a mixture of 1099 and W-2, so it's all kinds of different things. I am not incorporated, nor have a company of any sort. I'm just me.
I've been working with one particular client for over eight years now. In fact, they have been over half of my yearly income for the past eight years. Recently, they were purchased by another company, and that company took over most of the projects that I work on and my direct manager. The business I work in is largely not contract-driven for individuals, thus I never have a contract. It's just very uncommon, and yes, I know that would fix a lot of things.
Anyway, to the point. I got drafted into the pre-pre-pre production of a new project. The project manager I have been working with for years asked me to help with some of the drawings. As part of our process, I threw out the idea of doing some 3D work to help with the design process. She really liked that idea, and pitched it to the main people. They thought it might be good and allowed a small budget to get a basic idea formed. I work hourly from home. What I have done is fairly highly skilled. The idea was that they could look at a mockup and decide if they wanted to pursue this with me.
Now that I have spent the time to do it, they want me to turn over my files so that their own design team can try to take it from here.
Now, I know that generally when you are employed by a company, whatever work you do under them belongs to them. But, as a freelancer, not contracted to the company, does the same thing apply? Would you turn over all of your files to a company that only paid you for a few hours in order to preview your work? I think they can own the renderings, but the application files?
I've been working with one particular client for over eight years now. In fact, they have been over half of my yearly income for the past eight years. Recently, they were purchased by another company, and that company took over most of the projects that I work on and my direct manager. The business I work in is largely not contract-driven for individuals, thus I never have a contract. It's just very uncommon, and yes, I know that would fix a lot of things.
Anyway, to the point. I got drafted into the pre-pre-pre production of a new project. The project manager I have been working with for years asked me to help with some of the drawings. As part of our process, I threw out the idea of doing some 3D work to help with the design process. She really liked that idea, and pitched it to the main people. They thought it might be good and allowed a small budget to get a basic idea formed. I work hourly from home. What I have done is fairly highly skilled. The idea was that they could look at a mockup and decide if they wanted to pursue this with me.
Now that I have spent the time to do it, they want me to turn over my files so that their own design team can try to take it from here.
Now, I know that generally when you are employed by a company, whatever work you do under them belongs to them. But, as a freelancer, not contracted to the company, does the same thing apply? Would you turn over all of your files to a company that only paid you for a few hours in order to preview your work? I think they can own the renderings, but the application files?