Ownership of a design

[thanson]

I am just getting started with a freelance graphic design business, and I'm currently working on drawing up a standard contract to use with future clients. One issue that I am struggling with is how to handle ownership of a design once a project is completed. Should a client receive the file in its native, editable format once a project is completed, as part of the project fee? Should I charge a flat rate or a percentage of the project fee for the client to buy the native image file? Or should the native file not go to the client at all?

I would love advice from any freelance designers who have handled this issue in the past. Many thanks!

[Virgo Nightingale]

I'd be wary of handing over all your native files. If your client finds another (cheaper) designer, there would be little to stop them from handing them the files for revisions instead of going back to you. If a client insists on having the native files, you can work the rights/fees/etc into their particular contract. As far as how to charge a client for the native files, I couldn't tell you, but I'm sure someone else here would be able to.

[PrintDriver]

Unless you are designing a logo or branding. Then you do hand over native files. And charge accordingly.

[popejoydesign]

Personally, when I do logo's or branding I do handover the native files and that's included in my pricing. Anything else, no I don't. Usually when I have a client we are on good-great terms and tell them I won't charge them much (which is arbitrary), if at all, to do any edits to it.

But that's just me.

[budafist]

At work we hand anyone anything they need for them to do the work that is required. We expect the same back.

It's a pain in the ass when graphic designers refuse to hand over the raw file when all you want to do is to sort out their colour or text problems for them in order for a file to print properly.

[EC]

I like the idea of making the client responsible for the raw files, personally. Especially after having a hardrive meltdown last year, just another something to consider. I guess I like to be "free" of the project and the client once the job is done, I don't cling and protect to ensure future work. This attitude establishes trust, I believe. If they go to another designer it's probably a mutual thing and for the best. But I'm a web designer so this issue doesn't really come up in quite the same way (the concept of "native files" is not quite the same). I do transfer "ownership" (copyright) upon full payment, but reserve the right to use the design to promote my business.

I guess it's up to you, there are a lot of ways to approach it. Some designers would NEVER release native files, but you know -- I wouldn't hire one, personally.

[thanson]

Thanks very much for your help. I really see both sides to this issue so I think I need think it over more before I make a decision, but I very much appreciate the thoughtful input!

[budafist]

Just rethinking, we are the printers so we don't automatically give out files when the design is done. We keep them on file for future reprints. Though if anyone asks, they can have it.

I think it is because we are a printing company first. There's no art director or anyone that knows about copyright etc or looks out for the designer's interests. It's about printing and keeping the client happy.