Software Ownership Intellectual Rights

[PadBasher]

I have been working for a client for several years, but recently have "fallen out", he wants me to send him all the software. He states that as he has been paying me for my services and that as it is his company name displayed when you run the applications, he owns the software, but I refuse, I believe I own the software, any thoughts?

[Fishface]

same happened to me.

Unless you signed the rights over - you have 'natural' copyright as it was your hand that wrote it.



Check your contract and get a lawyer to look it over.

[malvolio]

Agreed, IPR defaults to the author unless you say something different contractually.

You can, of course, licence its use for a mutually acceptable ongoing fee.

[VectraMan]

I was looking for a case that was in the news not so long ago, but this is the closest one I can find:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11...yright_ruling/