Work for Hire Agreement

A Work for Hire Agreement is a contract between a company and a contractor or freelancer where the contractor agrees to perform specific services for the company. This agreement clarifies that the hiring party retains full rights to the work, including copyrights and intellectual property. A properly drafted Work for Hire Agreement helps prevent ownership disputes.

Businesses, employers or clients creating work for hire arrangements draft the agreement. Independent contractors or employees then review and sign it before starting the project.

The signed agreement is typically kept on file by the hiring party and the contractor or employee. Digital copies may also be stored for legal and recordkeeping purposes.