Copyright Transfer Contract

A copyright is a valuable piece of property. While valuable, it is a piece of property and that means it can be sold. A copyright transfer contract is the means for doing just that. 

Copyright is the intellectual property right associated with any work created by an author. The "work" can be audio files, software code, articles, eBook content and so on. Protecting copyright online is critical because people will "borrow" it all the time. Some times they do this maliciously and sometimes they just don't realize they can't repost your witty article on their site without permission. 

Regardless, the person that creates the work owns it. At some point, however, you may want to transfer the copyright. Why? Well, consider a situation where you perform a task such as doing a website design for a client. You technically own that design. Most clients are going to want it considering they are paying you. The transfer must be made in writing. Sometimes it is included in the design agreement, but sometimes it is included separately. 

The web is a place where informality rules. People sell and buy property like domains without ever entering into any written agreements to do so. This efficiency has its positives and negatives, but there are still some areas where a written agreement is absolutely necessary. A copyright transfer is one such area. 

Unless a court orders it, all transfers of copyright ownership must be in writing and signed by the owner of the copyright. 17 USC 204(a). This law makes sense since informal agreements would lead to massive confusion and endless lawsuit disputes over who owned items such as website designs, content on blogs and apps. It would pretty much bring the web to a halt.

If you are interested in a copyright transfer contract, contact me today at 619-637-6043. I look forward to talking with you.