Web development - License CSS/Markup/Code

[DemiGR]

In development of a website, is it typical for the developer to retain rights to the CSS, Markup and other Coding? If so, why is this done?

[RBO]

Hi Demetrios,

The webdev companies I've worked with didn't posses the rights to the code. We always claim ownership of the source code and all others properties in every project.

Regards,

Pieter

[PaddyDisplays]

yep, if you paid for it you would like to own the copy right.  If they keep it, then they can resell it to anyone legally, which I'm sure you would not be happy about.

[AlanMosley]

I have been a computer programmer / web developer for over 20 years and no it is not.

I would tell them to take a hike, if you have already passed over any cash then I would ask for it back , if they did not tell you this before taking the money.

[DemiGR]

Yea that's what I figured.  I haven't paid anything to the developer so will wait for his response to removing that clause from the contract.  The contract states he will license it to me, which makes no sense to me.  Why would I paid you to program something for me, then it gets licensed to me.  Then at anytime you can stop the licensing and hold my site hostage.  Makes no sense..

[AlanMosley]

Imagine getting a house build and then signing a rental agreement??

I build complied sites in MVC using visual studio, when I click publish, it compiles my code and produces a website on the server. If you wanted to make any changes at a later date you would need the Visual Studio project, I always give clients a copy of this project so they can do so.

[AlanMosley]

Another point, how much of that code is learnt from or copied from other sources? Would he even have the right to call it his own?

[GregFindley.co.uk]

Hi Demetrios,

As the other replies have said, no, it's definitely not typical. I would be a little concerned if this is a typical contract clause for this developer.

Thanks,
Greg

[AWCthreads]

If he's got a clause like that in his contract, it may be indicative of broader issues looming. You may want to reconsider developers.

[MickEdwards]

They want to keep ownership so they have the classes, framework or whatever for reuse for future clients, increasing their profits.  But I think that is slightly different to having a licence agreement and as you say with that model you could become prone to unreasonable fees.