Arite i am 0 on law. So i need proper advice with reference to laws in usa. Suppose me and john are working on a website. I design the website from top to bottom with all the graphics, content and scripts. He provides me a good domain and SLOGAN. His job is on the advertisement part. We share the revenue 50-50. We setup a business agreement. Ok u got the scenario. Now my questions are: 1. Are the copyrights on the website content belong to me or the mutual ownership? 2. Suppose i want to sell a copy of the content i made...Do i need his permission? 3. Suppose he f*cks up with the business...What is the easy way out? 4. What conditions should be added in the contract to play safe? I would really appreciate your help on this.
The answer is that you need to make a simple contract and address each of your questions. So, if you want to own the copyright to the content, make that part of the deal. All deals for business partnerships should have a way for the partnership to dissolve and division of the business assets. You seem to know the issues you want addressed, so you just need to put them in writing and come to an agreement. Nobody can give you clear direction as we don't know where you live, what laws apply, where you partner is, and tons of other questions. Good luck.
What does your agreement say? As browntwn said, you need to draw up a contract that addresses, this, and many other issues. Also, what type of a business is it? Have you guys registered? If so, did you guys incorporate? Before getting started you should have addressed these issues already (unless you haven't yet). Remember, if it's not in a written agreement it's pretty much a free for all. Generally if you design a website for a business the copyright rests with the business (unless specifically spelled out in a contract)
If it fell apart who ever owns the domain will have it all. You can make contracts then it gets into legal stuff, but who ever owns the domain can lock the other person out until it goes through court. Court can be very expensive…
A professional and legal adviser can help you in this regard. contact right away to answer your queries.
I am not familiar with US intellectual property law, only english...but if you cannot afford a lawyer go out and buy an IP statute book which lists all the laws in the area you need. You will then understand what you need to know. The statute books are usually no more than $30.
As the developer, grant him a non-exclusive license to your work. If I was him I wouldn't go along with this though. Way out from what, exactly? You need protection against him dumping your design at some point for the purpose of getting rid of you. If your design works well, all he has to do is pay another designer to rework it and he keeps 100% of the profits.
If you dont trust someone, dont go into business with them... Though being prepared is always a good thing...