BeforeJD Guides

Before you sign: who owns what you make

The freelance clause that hands over your copyright

• Find the clause. It may sit under Work Made for Hire, Intellectual Property, or Work Product.
• Check what counts as the work: only the final deliverable, or every note, draft, and tool.
• Check for a backup assignment. It catches what the work made for hire words miss.
• In California, a work made for hire clause can make the client your employer for workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance.
• Check whether you keep your earlier materials and tools, or license them.
• Check whether you are paid more than the fee for the rights, and when ownership passes.
• Ask to assign the final deliverable once paid for, and to license the rest.

The clause in this guide: Consulting Agreement, Exhibit 10.1, CIK 1904286, Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 8, 2026. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1904286/000149315226027751/ex10-1.htm

BeforeJD is not a law firm. This is informational only, not legal advice.