Charging additional fee for use of to architects

[Dan J]

Hello,

 

I recall this issue had been discussed before, but I couldn't find the thread on it.

 

Question is- I've recently completed a project for a developer and now the architect is asking if they can have the renderings. They are the architects of record on the project and it is their design, though the developer paid for all the renderings I produced.

Is this something I should hand over to them freely or should I charge them a fee? Or should I just place a copy write on all the images (watermark) and send them a statement to the effect that if they use the images for promotional purposes (print, web or other) they owe me a fee for each image used and per use?

 

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

Dan

[Donkey81]

You created the images, therefore you own the copyright. However, it wouldn't be in your interest to prevent the architect from using them. The more that people see your work, the better. This is not something you usually charge extra for...unless it's prints they want! Then by all means charge for those.

 

But, the Developer commissioned you to do the work, therefore you should get the architect to ask the developer if they can have copies.

[Ernest Burden III]

Charge 'em.

 

I certainly have this happen all the time, and to be honest, I rarely DO charge the architect. That is usually because I was hired by the architect even though the developer paid me. In those cases I write it off to 'professional courtesy' or think of the 'free' use of my pictures as the architect's commission for getting me the work.

 

But if I have been hired by the developer directly (and that is the best way) and an architect with whom I do not have a working relationship wants to use the work, they will be expected to pay for it. Now it does not have to be a lot of money, it can be just enough to make the point that your work is valuable and not theirs to use.

 

At the very least insist on the architect signing a document that says they can use them for certain things only and all use MUST have an artist credit.

 

More of my own advice I should follow more often...

[mbr]

Good advice. I would ask a very little amount, and insist on the credit. If they don't want to pay, then try to be flexible because they could simply ask the developer for a copy of his, without giving you credit or paying.

 

You could say that you will charge them for the CD preparation, mailing, delivery, etc.

 

The credit is worth something by itself, though.

[Dan J]

Very good advice all around. I was running with the notion of advertising and receiving credit on all publishing.

Here's a new twist to this. I mentioned this to the developer and (for some reason) they want to charge the architect for any of the images they want to use. I thought this was odd from their stand point. Generally they have the deep pockets and not the architect. I thought they would toss the architect a bone, as a perk or something. Strange.

Thanks again for the info.

 

Dan

[Joel Gray]

Your client shouldn't be charging other people for the images you created. That's a copyright infringment, especially if you stated so in your contract. Typically, one would charge more for a given project if it is going to be redistributed for a fee to others. This is where intrinsic value comes in. Your copyright description (in your contract) should state that the images are to be used for marketing purposes only. If they want to resell the images, then work up a different and substantially higher proposal based on the intrinsic value of the project.

 

As far as the architect wanting the images... Charge them a minimal fee for a CD or prints that includes an hour of your time for delivery - something like $50-$100. The fee shows them that you're a professioal and that your time is valuable. They will be less likely to push you around on a project if they hire you in the future (and it's likely they will).

 

You should be flattered that they think so much of your work and that they want a copy. This is simply the best and cheapest marketing you can get.