Stealing Copywriting you've paid for

11 replies
If I have copywriting done for one product and I like it, then take that copy and tweek it to fit another product, is that stealing from the copywriter or is that my copy to do with as I please?
#copywriting #paid #stealing
  • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
    If you paid for the copy to be written, then it belongs to you ...

    James
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
      Originally Posted by TheRichJerksNet View Post

      If you paid for the copy to be written, then it belongs to you ...

      James
      That's what I thought and hoped. I know if I get a professional photo taken that I can't just run down to WalMart and print off a bunch more of them. The photographer retains the rights.
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      • Profile picture of the author TheRichJerksNet
        Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

        That's what I thought and hoped. I know if I get a professional photo taken that I can't just run down to WalMart and print off a bunch more of them. The photographer retains the rights.
        Hi Scott,
        Yes this is true ...

        Having something written such as sales copy, the copy belongs to you when paid for (unless a contract states otherwise). When dealing with design, images, products, scripts, and etc this is a different story...

        James
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        • Profile picture of the author DeePower
          Having something written such as sales copy, the copy belongs to you when paid for (unless a contract states otherwise).

          No. Actually it's the opposite. It has to be explicitly stated that the work (content) is a work for hire and belongs to the person paying for it, otherwise the copyright remains with the originator.

          So if you paid for a sales letter and there is no statement that upon payment the sales letter is yours, the copywriter still owns the content. It would be very simple to go back to the copywriter and say that since you've paid for the sales letter you now own the content and get them to agree.

          Dee
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      • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
        Originally Posted by Scott Ames View Post

        That's what I thought and hoped. I know if I get a professional photo taken that I can't just run down to WalMart and print off a bunch more of them. The photographer retains the rights.
        That could be handled with a contract, too.

        Why is anyone paying someone to do work for them without getting these rights?

        Imagine having a house built and having a contract that any repairs or remodeling must be done by the original builder.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dmitry
    Don't you have a contract? The standard contract in rentacoder stated something that this type of work is considered work made for hire or something like this and basically it's yours to do whatever you want to. You own the full rights to it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
      Originally Posted by Dmitry View Post

      Don't you have a contract? The standard contract in rentacoder stated something that this type of work is considered work made for hire or something like this and basically it's yours to do whatever you want to. You own the full rights to it.

      Sometimes I have a contact, but other times I just know and trust the person to do the job.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    You probably own the rights to it. If you care what your
    writer thinks of you you might ask him or her to go over
    your modifications for a modest editing fee. The writer
    may actually have insight that will make the new copy
    better and furthermore there shouldn't be any hard feelings
    this way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Scott Ames
      Originally Posted by malibumentor View Post

      You probably own the rights to it. If you care what your
      writer thinks of you you might ask him or her to go over
      your modifications for a modest editing fee. The writer
      may actually have insight that will make the new copy
      better and furthermore there shouldn't be any hard feelings
      this way.
      Now that is an excellent thought and a perspective I had not thought of.
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  • Profile picture of the author erinwrites
    Dee is right--unless specifically stated (in writing) that all rights were to be transferred to you, your writer still owns the rights to the letter he/she wrote. All you have to do is write to your copywriter and ask for the rights to the work to be transferred to you. Some copywriters might ask for a fee (the more rights to the material you want, the higher the cost). Some might not. Either way, it is better to ask first and make sure that you are legally covered before posting the new material.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      These are all wrong. Every answer in this thread is wrong. Except one...

      Without a contract, ask the copywriter. It is the cheapest way to get things handled without risk of legal issues or losing a good business relationship.

      Sure, depending on the circumstances, one of the others may be right by accident, but there are too many factors that could come into play for anyone to be sure of anything based on what little Scott told us.

      Trust me on this, folks. It's potentially more complicated than you all seem to think.

      In the future, Scott, at least have an agreement in the same medium in which you set the other terms.


      Paul
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