There are many websites that offer turn-key solutions where they install, configure, host and manage your website on their servers using their own software. You pay a monthly fee to keep the website up and have access to all the features. I have 2 questions about this: 1. How much of my website do I own in this agreement? What part of the website is considered my intellectual property? 2. What if I want to sell my website in the future? Does the web host have a say in what portion of the website is sold, or what percentage they receive from the sale of my website? I'm from the U.S. Thanks.
Simple as kevin, If sites such as 1and1 where they build the site for you charge you monthly as a hosting and site solution, technically they 90% of it. The only part you own is the content, and the domain name. If you wanted to sell it, you are allowed by law to transfer the domain away but there is no guarantee this is free, and the content is your own and considered yours anyway. Their arguement is that the script used to generate the site, is written by them for them and their customers only to use. you want to move you are no longer customer and not allowed to use their software. The same can be said in the UK atleast when a web design company has paid for your domain, and built your website, and even if they have wrote the text and only charge you a monthly fee, in this case you don't own any of the site at all