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Code ownership

ML
So I have been working as an electronics consultant for a company who employ me as self employed worker to do some electronics works for them. They are paying me by the hour along with travel expenses.

I have just made a device for them complete with code which they have now asked for and I was wondering a couple of things;
  • Does the code belong to me or to the company?

  • Can I charge them a one off fee for giving them the code?


I would really appreciate any help, knowledge, or pointers. Thank you for reading
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    Martin,

    I will weigh in here to further muddy the waters, though with the hope of heading towards better clarity.

    In your original post you mention that you have made a device for them complete with code. I assume that they asked you to make the device but is the code an essential part of the function of the device? Also is this a prototype which they will duplicate or is it a one-off? If they asked you to make a one-off device then there may be some justification for supplying it with a licence for one copy of the code so that if they then produce more copies of the device they will need more licences for the software for these, but as everyone has said previously it all boils down to what was in the contract you had.

    Regards,

    Alasdair
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  • 0
    Martin,

    I will weigh in here to further muddy the waters, though with the hope of heading towards better clarity.

    In your original post you mention that you have made a device for them complete with code. I assume that they asked you to make the device but is the code an essential part of the function of the device? Also is this a prototype which they will duplicate or is it a one-off? If they asked you to make a one-off device then there may be some justification for supplying it with a licence for one copy of the code so that if they then produce more copies of the device they will need more licences for the software for these, but as everyone has said previously it all boils down to what was in the contract you had.

    Regards,

    Alasdair
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