Intellectual Property in Freelancing: Who Owns Your Work?

By Default, You're the Author

Copyright belongs to the creator by default. Even after payment, exclusive rights don't transfer automatically — it needs an explicit contract clause.

What's Usually Transferred

• Exclusive rights — full transfer, costs more
• License — usage rights with limitations
• Nothing — if the contract doesn't specify, rights stay with you

Portfolio & NDA

Negotiate upfront: show work without client branding, or NDA with an expiration date.

Using Others' Code

MIT, Apache — commercial use OK. GPL — your code must also be GPL. Stock photos — read the license every time.

Protecting Your Work

• Clear IP clauses in contracts
• Hold source files until full payment
• Record creation dates (email/Git commits)