[thelist] Client asked for original files.....

[David Kutcher]

So they want you to give up your "special sauce"?

If the client wants the PSD's and original files, I would say that it is
definitely a contract issue that you should be aware of when you're writing
and signing the contract.  And if the clients want the files at the end of
the project, there should be a reasonable fee attached.

This is what is in your contract under the section header "Deliverables"

Make sure you clearly spell this out.  It becomes more difficult to discuss
this with a client after the fact.  I've sold my PSD's and other templates
to clients, but only after clearly spelling out that I would be "creating"
future templates for them .html format, .psd, and more.  This adds a few
hours to your contract, and in addition, add a reasonable fee for the
service since you're selling your original work.  I try to stick to the
percentage of 5-10% of the entire project cost and explain why.

David
www.confluentforms.com


----- Original Message -----
From: <BreezyGraphics at aol.com>
To: <thelist at lists.evolt.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2002 10:35 AM
Subject: [thelist] Client asked for original files.....


> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> In a message dated 2/21/02 8:58:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> thelist-request at lists.evolt.org writes:
> I was wondering on how you guys deal with a client (considering you
> outsource to other designers/developers) who asked for the original
> files (PSD, FLA) you created for the job you got from them...
> Is it default that we have to hand the original files to them or not?
> Should I ask for an extra fee for the originals?
> The reason why I am asking is that handing the original files (specially
> FLAs) to a client is like losing a job as the file is pretty
> self-explanatory and one would learn how it was done and do it again by
> oneself instead of hiring for it...
>
> I state up front in the contract if they are included or not.
> If it something I am not to worried about getting out I just charge an
extra
> fee, BUT...
>
> I have some Fla's that I state FIRMLY would be tantamount to divulging
trade
> secrets and are in no manner to be turned over, duplicated, etc. But you
must
> decide this when writing up the contract. My answer to clients is if you
buy
> a photo from someone you don't "automatically" get to keep the camera!
They
> purchase my product, not the equipment. I am selling them my product not
> teaching them how to do it. Breezy
>
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