Make sure your business can use the work it paid for
The company paid for a website, received the files and launched a campaign. Can it now change the design, share the code with a partner or use the photographs in another country? That depends on the agreements and applicable law. We help establish which rights the business holds and what is missing.
What we review
Code, designs, photographs, videos, text and other creative works may qualify for copyright. Copyright protects expression rather than the underlying business idea. Protection generally arises automatically for qualifying works; registration systems and their practical value depend on the country.
When several people built the product
We need to understand who created the materials, under which arrangements, and what rights were granted. We review employee, freelancer and agency agreements, briefs and acceptance documents. Third-party fonts, images, music and software components need separate attention because their terms may differ.
How we help
We match works to documents, identify gaps in rights and agree how to address them. We help organise evidence of creation and delivery. Where registration serves a purpose in a particular country, we explain the role and process. Terms for further use or transfer of rights are handled through the relevant contract work.
What to prepare
A list of works and creators, agreements, acceptance records and first publication details. For software, include an outline of where key components came from. There is no need to send the full repository with your first message.
Questions about copyright protection
What does copyright protection for code and content cover?
For works that qualify for protection, copyright protects expression, including software code, photographs, writing and creative design. An abstract idea does not receive the same protection. When advising a business, we review authorship, company rights and evidence of how those rights were acquired.
Is copyright registration compulsory?
In most countries, qualifying works receive protection automatically. Where registration is available, it may have a separate evidential or procedural role. We assess its usefulness for the country and task concerned; there is no universal worldwide copyright registration.
How can we check company rights to contractor-created code or design?
We compare the work with the contract, brief and acceptance records. We identify the creators, any subcontractors and third-party materials. This reveals gaps; any new contract terms or rights assignments are agreed as a separate task.
What materials are needed for a copyright review?
Start with a list of works and creators, existing agreements, acceptance records and publication details. For software, an overview of key components and their licences is useful. You do not need to send complete source code or unpublished materials in your first message; we will agree access first.
Does paying the creator give the company every right?
Payment alone is not a safe basis for that conclusion. The agreement, working relationship and applicable law need review.
What if someone copied our materials?
Keep originals, links, dates and records of the use. We can then assess the evidence and possible pre-trial responses.