What is a work-for-hire agreement?

A work-for-hire agreement is a contract between two parties, such as an employer and an employee, in which the employee produces a work or service for the employer. In Delaware, work-for-hire agreements are governed by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. A work-for-hire agreement is used when an employer has a specific project that needs to be completed within a certain timeframe, or when a company needs a specific piece of work or service done which they do not have the specialized skills to complete. In exchange, the employee is usually offered a set compensation or fee. Under a work-for-hire agreement, the employer is granted all copyright and intellectual rights to the work or service that has been produced by the employee. This means that the employer holds exclusive rights to the work, and the employee may not exploit the work in any manner without the employer’s permission. In Delaware, work-for-hire agreements are legally binding and may be enforced by law. It is important for both parties to read and understand the agreement in full before signing it, and to seek legal counsel if needed. Depending on the nature of the project, it may also be beneficial to include a non-disclosure agreement in the work-for-hire agreement to protect any confidential information related to the project.

Related FAQs

What are art market forces?
What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act?
How can I get a patent for my artwork?
What is a ‘backdating’ of copyright?
What type of contracts are used to buy and sell artwork?
What legal rights do artists have?
What is a transfer of copyright?
How do I file a trade secret infringement lawsuit?
What is the difference between copyright, trademark, and trade secret law?
What is a commissioning agreement?

What is a work-for-hire agreement?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts