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Why ‘Guns for Hire’ Should Scrutinize ‘Work for Hire’ Provisions

Why ‘Guns for Hire’ Should Scrutinize ‘Work for Hire’ Provisions

By Nina Kaufman, Esq.

You’re a gun for hire. No, not in the “John-Wayne-with-spurs-clinking-down-a-tumbleweed-path” kind of gun for hire…more in the “you’re-brought-in-to-handle-the-tough-stuff” vein. For example, Epiphany, an up-and-coming clothing company based in Taos, New Mexico, needed consistent branding and attention, in order to attract the kinds of customers they wanted. They could design clothing, but designing a solid marketing campaign was way over their head. So Epiphany hired Maybeth and her Miami-based Maximum Impact Marketing firm to help. Epiphany provided Maybeth with a detailed agreement that covered the work to be performed, the cost, “work for hire” provisions, and intellectual property rights. Maybeth created several proposed logo designs, wrote the copy for the Epiphany website (which MIM also developed), and worked out a strategy for attracting customers that included local PR. Things started to go awry when Maybeth used one of Epiphany’s discarded logo designs, and received an angry letter from Epiphany…something about “infringing intellectual property rights.” Then Epiphany threatened a lawsuit when it saw the exact website layout (and nearly exact design) on a competitor’s website. The situation…

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Nina Kaufman

Flying solo doesn’t have to mean going it alone.

I’m Nina Kaufman.

I know first-hand that running a knowledge-based service business has unique challenges. It’s so much easier when you have an advocate in your corner. Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked with thousands of New York business professionals who want a legal advisor to guide and support them as they navigate the business world.

With wide-ranging experience as a business attorney, strategist, and media authority, I bring the added power of a business lens to the legal issues my clients are facing.

And because I’ve been a business owner myself, I’ve lived through the soaring highs and devastating lows – like when my first law firm failed. So I understand what’s involved to serve great clients, detect business risks early and build a true legacy.

I can’t get those 12 years back. That’s why I have made it my mission to ensure that business professionals like you can become wise and discerning leaders, build a solid business, and live your best life.