Copyright Transfer
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Hello, everyone. It's my first time posting here.
I need help with a project offer I got.
It was initially a work for hire project from self publishing author where I was asked to "ghost" illustrate a children's book, won't be credited for my work, and not allowed to include the Illustrations in my portfolio. However, my agent helped me negotiate and I will be allowed to include them in my portfolio and will be credited in the book.But the client is asking for a full rights transfer including copyright. I've always retained copyright for my other project and only gave usage rights (publication and promotional rights) to clients. So I'm hesitant to accept the project. My agent said that it's common for small publisher to request full rights transfer.
I heard that copyright transfer can be done but with much higher fee which is outside of the client's budget. I'm not sure what to do.
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@s-annisa personally I wouldn’t sell it to them. Or if you do, don’t lower the price, it’s not really up to you whether it’s out of their budget.
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@s-annisa It really comes down to what you want. Did the client contact you direct (where they wanted YOU specifically or was it via a site where they can simply click on another person's name)
The fact that it is out of the client's price range should mean little to you. Their problem.
Is this a client you will earn decent money from? Is there a possibility of continued work with them (or is it a one and done)?
Would you earn enough from this project to make it difficult to walk away from?
Personally, for a self published project I would not give them all rights because you don't know what they will do to your artwork. Whether your name is on it or not do you want your work to possibly end up on a thong on cafepress?
