Did you receive copyright with your company's logo design?

[Eagle]

• Well done if you did!

• If you didn't, well, there's probably little you can do now.

Copyright of any design always belongs to the author of the work (the designer) unless it's assigned to you in writing. It's always better to negotiate assignment of copyright with your graphic designer before you agree on a price for the project; otherwise they are well within their rights to charge you for it.

Some designers, you will find, include assignment automatically - but always check to confirm!

Mark :)

[euphrosene]

Surely that depends on whether you supplied an original piece of artwork to work from?

[lex]

Didnt know this, i did my own logo however. Ill just write it over to the business.

[Eagle]

Surely that depends on whether you supplied an original piece of artwork to work from?
Of course! If you engage some designers, their logos are made from clipart and clipart can't be used in logos.

[bwglaw]

Surely that depends on whether you supplied an original piece of artwork to work from?

Could be a joint author

[Eagle]

I see what you mean now; yes, joint authorship.

[webit]

Folks - I've done work on sites for blue chips who have overlooked ownership of artwork - just because you have it always check the licence of any artwork. Even is sourced from stock art such as istockphoto by your designer you might need to check/purchase the right to use the work otherwise it could get messy...

[bwglaw]

All clients should have a good contract in place which clearly state who owns the copyright and that the designer/developer will indemnify the client of any copyright infringment, amongst other things

Anyone who would like advice or a quotation about an agreement can contact me direct at the email address below

Jonathan

[Eagle]

...that the designer/developer will indemnify the client of any copyright infringment...
That they are aware of!

It's simply impossible to search billions of logos / designs worldwide. :)

[bwglaw]

That they are aware of!

It's simply impossible to search billions of logos / designs worldwide. :)

If they are not aware of any author then should they really be using it at all?!

The indemnity will go some way to prevent any fall back on the client for the negligence of the designer/developer

Jonathan

[Eagle]

Jonathan, not sure we're singing off the same hymn sheet here!...

I agree with you to a certain extent but I'll reiterate - it is impossible to be sure whether something you have designed isn't similar to something else, elsewhere in the world.

I'd love to hear from any designer who can categorically guarantee no infringement in any of their work. All a designer can do is guarantee they are not knowingly infringing other work.

Mark :)

[Scott-SCD]

Just out of curiousity roughly how much would it cost for an agreement like this?

[Eagle]

Copyright assignment? Free of charge in my case. :)

I honestly don't know how designers can have the audacity to charge for this if it's negotiated/offered before the project starts.

[Scott-SCD]

Copyright assignment? Free of charge in my case. :)

I honestly don't know how designers can have the audacity to charge for this if it's negotiated/offered before the project starts.

I mean the copyright agreement to be written up by a Lawyer :)

[bwglaw]

Are you asking for a 'copyright agreement' where just the copyright is assigned to you, or are you asking for a full agreement to set out the contract for services and to include the assignment of copyright?

The latter is better if you are about to give a designer/developer a project

Jonathan

[Eagle]

I mean the copyright agreement to be written up by a Lawyer :)
Ah, right. Mine has been checked by a lawyer. Weren't they called 'solicitors' once? ;)

[bwglaw]

Not all lawyers are solicitors they can be Barristers, Legal Executives or even someone just practising law! ;)

[Eagle]

:eek: Gotcha! :)

[Scott-SCD]

Are you asking for a 'copyright agreement' where just the copyright is assigned to you, or are you asking for a full agreement to set out the contract for services and to include the assignment of copyright?

The latter is better if you are about to give a designer/developer a project

Jonathan

Just the agreement to sign over the copyright.

[bwglaw]

I can draft a simple agreement for a very small fee if you contact me direct with the details

Jonathan

[Scott-SCD]

I can draft a simple agreement for a very small fee if you contact me direct with the details

Jonathan

Well I'm not really looking for anything right now I was more curious about the rough price range someone would have to pay, for future reference.

[bwglaw]

I tend to offer generous discounts to UKBF so my fee will differ from others especially the high street law firm. I would charge in the region of £75