IP Assignment Agreement -- Why You Need One and What It Does

If you hire someone to create work for your business, you probably don't own it. Here's why an IP Assignment Agreement matters.

Under English law, the person who creates a piece of work owns the copyright -- even if you paid for it. This surprises most business owners, but it is the default position under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

If you hire a freelancer to design your logo, write your website copy, or build your app, the freelancer owns the copyright unless there is a written agreement saying otherwise. Paying for the work does not transfer ownership automatically. This means the freelancer could, in theory, prevent you from using, modifying, or sublicensing the work.

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