Licensing Agreements...where to go?

[ladiestorm]

I've accepted one of the unpaid commission requests, and because I'm a published writer, I know I need a licencing contract to protect both the client, and myself.

As a writer, my publisher takes care of that...so I'm not used to having to provide one of my own. I was told once that there are several such agreements available.

Where can I find these licensing agreements? How do I know which is right for me? I can't afford an attorney to write up a contract, especially on an unpaid commission.

[darcycardinal]

I've accepted one of the unpaid commission requests, and because I'm a published writer, I know I need a licencing contract to protect both the client, and myself.

As a writer, my publisher takes care of that...so I'm not used to having to provide one of my own. I was told once that there are several such agreements available.

Where can I find these licensing agreements? How do I know which is right for me? I can't afford an attorney to write up a contract, especially on an unpaid commission.

I recently came across this website, it may be able to help: https://creativeclass.io/contract/

-darcycardinal

[Falconius]

I don't know I feel like for that kind of price you could probably get a local lawyer to draw up a boilerplate contract anyhow, and then you have the ability to also communicate with him or her on specifics, and there is also some accountability.

[darcycardinal]

I don't know I feel like for that kind of price you could probably get a local lawyer to draw up a boilerplate contract anyhow, and then you have the ability to also communicate with him or her on specifics, and there is also some accountability.

I'm unsure too of the contract, not because of the price, but because its more geared towards freelance workers with new/existing clients where projects can easily go over $20K. For what ladiestorm is talking about, a boilerplate contract could be drawn up, albeit still very expensive, cause the lawyer would want to get something out of it still and because its a one time thing.

There has to be a solution online for this, someone is selling out there.

-darcycardinal

[ladiestorm]

@darcycardinal - no... That's not quite what I was looking for. Besides the fact that I need to purchase the contract. I'm looking for something more like a limited use license.

[darcycardinal]

@darcycardinal - no... That's not quite what I was looking for. Besides the fact that I need to purchase the contract. I'm looking for something more like a limited use license.

Okay, yeah, then disregard that other comment. I would be curious to find out what you end up with, cause i would be interested in the same idea.

-darcycardinal

[ChickPea]

If you're willing to make your maps available for certain usages, e.g. non-commercial, Creative Commons is arguably the most commonly used licence. Here's an overview:

https://creativecommons.org/share-yo...onsiderations/

And here are the licence types:

https://creativecommons.org/share-yo...ypes-examples/

[Midgardsormr]

If the license needs some kind of exclusivity, though, CC isn't the way to go. A license can be (and should be, in my opinion) in plain language. Something along these lines:

[Work name] is provided under a limited use license to [client]. [Client] may reproduce the work in [print/digital] form for non-commercial purposes for a term of [length of license] commencing on [date]. Use of the work outside of these terms is prohibited. [Author] retains ownership of the work, and this license does not sever any of [author]'s rights.

Notice the essential parts: What the client can do with the piece, how long they get to do it for, and an explicit statement that they do not get the copyright. Business matters beyond these, such as payment terms and deadlines, should be in a contract, a separate document from the license itself.

If you feel you need a more formal or stronger license, a boilerplate license is provided in the Graphic Artist Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines. Page 285 in my 12th Edition copy. It's a bit too long to reproduce here. I highly recommend getting a copy of that book; it's invaluable and not terribly expensive. $40 or so new, but you can usually pick up an older edition used for significantly less. I found mine for $7 in a Goodwill.

[J.Edward]

I agree with Midgardsormr. That is a very helpful book. Plus the The Legal Guide for the Visual Artist.
And the statement is a good basic agreement of license.

I apologize for not getting beck to you sooner. Pulled my back doing some home reno for family and have been awol for a week.
I don't know of a specific website that would help you with a license agreement.

But, I do know that any legal document can be worded to state the parameters of the agreement and then signed it should provide you safe legal ground should something need to be dealt with in the future.
The key is to make sure the wording is specific and accurate to you need and the use intended.
Lawyers add a lot of legalese into things that does not always need to be there.

[ladiestorm]

@Mifgardsomr - so what you're saying is that a license agreement can be something I've written myself, and can be in plain language and still be binding and legal? And I set the boundaries for how my work can be used?

But this is a map for someone that's writing a novel. So how would a time allowance work for something like that?


@J.Edward- I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you're okay! And it's alright:-). I got to thinking about it, and realized that others might have these questions, and since I couldn't find the answers, I figured I would take this public so to speak. Besides, I know you are a busy guy, and may not always have the time to babysit a.newbie! Lol