Hi everyone. Nice to meet you. This is my first post on this forum. I have an ad agency customer who hires out freelance copywriters, such as myself, to write content for their clients' blogs and web sites. One of the jobs they have me do is to write articles on various topics. The articles contain keywords for SEO purposes to improve the clients' web site rankings on search engines. Or so I thought. I just discovered that these articles were being posted on different web sites, such as ezinearticles.com under the by-lines of their clients. In other words I've been finding content I wrote with the by-line, by "Joe Schmo," or whoever their client is. I am very used to seeing my stuff in various places without a by-line. However, I am not used to seeing my stuff with someone else getting the credit. Is this something that should bother me? Is this an issue? Thanks for your help.
If they paid you for the content, they own it. It is no longer yours. They can add their own links and by-line if they so choose. They basically own all the rights to the content and can do with it as they please once you have received payment for it.
For what it's worth you can derive some comfort from the knowledge that your content must be pretty good if they think highly enough of it to be using it like this. I would refrain from contacting them about it as they could potentially offer you work in the future. No doubt they will as you seem to have passed their approval.
In the future, you should be clear as to who owns the copyrights of your work. I know of some writers who refuse to transfer the copyright, even after being paid. Some charge extra to transfer full copyrights. The vast majority of the (American) writers I know consider their writings "work for hire" which by its very nature implies the copyright transfers upon payment. If the copyright transfers, they could say little green men from Mars wrote the article. It's theirs, they can do with it what they please. It sounds like your customer assumed your agreement was one of "work for hire" or they themselves didn't know that sometimes copyrights do not transfer from writer to buyer. I generally put a statement about the work being "work for hire" and that the copyrights will transfer upon receipt of final payment in all of my bids and invoices. That ensures everyone is on the same page. BTW, I specified American writers because I do not know if copyright laws in other countries all work the same way.
If you are paid to write articles, then not having a by-line will never be an issue. As long as you've done your work for them you don't have to worry about if they use your output for many purposes.
I have been through this myself. What's more, I've actually done it myself. I write articles under the name of my clients. I've often wondered if I should not do this, or set up multiple author names under one account. But the way I see it, I'm actively promoting them, so it's important that the client gain some personal authority under his/her/their own name. I take comfort in the fact that if asked, if if they're asked, there will be a nod in my direction. I will even claim some connection with that work on my own website under he clients section.
You are being paid for content. Rules of content fall into the category of digital goods when passing hands. So let's take a look at the rules for ebooks since they are digital goods. Almost all ebooks have a rating for usage or terms. PLR, MMR, etc. and each tell a different story how that product can be used. So if your going to sell your articles or content then you have the ability to put in a clause of usage. However, if your signing up at a website as a content writer such as Elance, Freelancer or any site of the like you go by their rules or terms of contract. When you sign up your entering into a contract between you and the site owners and your saying that you will follow their rules, not yours. This would be the first thing you should do is review the contracts you have signed in order to sell your work. Another thought is this: When you work for a company, let's say Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks since they are widely known, everything you do is covered by them, all the work your giving is for them under their name. Wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that they get all the credit for your work because they are paying you? This is the exact reason why I bought my website Quick Articles instead of going to another article writing company. I get to decide what happens with my content. Hope this helps put a rest all your questions in grey.^^