I'm currently doing a freelance that can be characterized as not a work for hire situation. The individual I'm working for had given me a list of requirements and had paid 1/2 of the agreed price in advance for the finished product. The meeting was finished with a nod and a handshake and I went home and went to work. No contracts were signed. Nothing was put down on paper except for what his requirements were for what was needed and that was received in an email later in the day. I was free to add to those requirements if it would make the program better.

From the metting I understood the following:

• The individual is buying the finished product and it is to be delivered upon completion
• The individual is using the finished product on one site

What worries me on this is that he became very cryptic when I had asked him as to how many sites he was going to use it on. His answer was "Does it matter? :)".

Now I'm left with a question in my mind. Is he buying the code and right to sell it? Or is he buying the finished product with only the right to use it and that right only extending to one site? Has any of you fellow monks been in this situation before and what was the outcome when you were finished with the program?

BMaximus

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