Article

How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Rights in Works Created By Contractors

Nolo Free Beginner

A free companion to Nolo's book that lays out the two tools you need: a work-for-hire clause where it applies, and an assignment clause for everything else. It is short and specific to works made by contractors, which is exactly your situation with a freelance developer. A good sanity check on any contract you are handed.

  • Use assignment language, not just a work-for-hire label.
  • Contractors keep ownership by default unless they sign it over.
  • Cover both copyright and any patentable inventions.
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The question it answers

  1. How do I make sure I actually own the code my freelancer writes?

Read with it

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  3. Explains that without a written assignment, the agency, not you, may own the code you paid for. It covers present tense... Horizon Labs Article Code Ownership and IP Assignment for Contractors: 2026 Guide Horizon Labs
  4. A lawyer's note on the exact wording that actually transfers code ownership in a development agreement. It is short and... Willcox Savage Article Use the Magic Words: Ownership of Code Developed under a Software Development Agreement Joseph B. Allen
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