Web Development » UpWork » Who Owns UpWork IP?

Who Owns UpWork IP?

Last updated on September 30, 2022 @ 9:30 pm

Who Owns UpWork IP?

As a freelancer, you may be wondering who owns the intellectual property (IP) rights to the work you do on UpWork. The answer is that it depends on the terms of your agreement with your client.

If you and your client have not specifically agreed otherwise in writing, the general rule is that the client owns all rights to any work product you create in connection with your contract with them. This includes both the copyright in the work itself as well as any moral rights that may be associated with it.

However, there are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, if you are hired by a client to create a work of art that is intended to be hung on their wall or displayed in their office, they will only own the physical artwork itself. You will retain all copyright and moral rights in the work.

PRO TIP: Upwork is a platform that connects freelancers with clients. When you create an account on Upwork, you agree to the Terms of Service, which state that Upwork owns all of the content that you post on the site. This includes your profile information, job proposals, portfolios, and any other content that you post on Upwork.

Another exception has to do with so-called “work for hire” arrangements. In general, a work for hire is a work that is created by an employee as part of their job duties.

The employer owns all rights to the work. However, there is an exception for freelance contractors who are considered independent contractors rather than employees. If you qualify as an independent contractor, then any works you create pursuant to a contract with a client will not be considered works for hire and you will retain all applicable rights.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to understand who owns the intellectual property rights to the work you do on UpWork. In most cases, the client will own these rights unless there is a specific agreement in place stating otherwise. However, there are some exceptions to this general rule, so it is important to understand how these exceptions may apply in your situation.

Madison Geldart

Madison Geldart

Cloud infrastructure engineer and tech mess solver.