Who owns design work, client or designer?

[BlueBirdWD]

I don't have a problem with my clients 'owning' the artwork after they have paid for it.

Sadly it seems you are damned if you do and damned if you don't in this situation. You said they were going to pull the plug and start getting everything done internally anywayanyway, I would of just let it go so the relationship ended on a good note, unfortunately now it's been soured.

[victorng]

Originally Posted by Visionlux

I think this comes down to one question. Is the job "work for hire" or not?

That has some relevance in the US and NZ (for example) but it is largely irrelevant in Australia. In Australia, the 'author' of copyright material owns the copyright unless they is a written agreement otherwise. There are some exceptions - employees, certain recordings, family portraits, etc. but that's the general rule.

Cheers,
Victor

[Visionlux]

Originally Posted by victorng

That has some relevance in the US and NZ (for example) but it is largely irrelevant in Australia. In Australia, the 'author' of copyright material owns the copyright unless they is a written agreement otherwise. There are some exceptions - employees, certain recordings, family portraits, etc. but that's the general rule.

Cheers,
Victor

Pretty sure that's the case everywhere.
Either way...

It's incredibly important to lay those terms out clearly before any work has begun.

I already have "work for hire" agreements written up for both animators and clients.

[MaurizioMadeOfLight]

Since they don't want you to work for them anymore you could just offer a good price which suits you, and hopefully them, waiting for a response.
If nothing should come up, just hold it for you and let your life continues.
One day someone will probably ring and say that that invoice is paid and you hand your RAWs over...

Greetings.

Maurizio — Made Of Light