I don't think your roommate is being malicious. He probably told his dad about the project and his dad being the lawyer that he is, said "hey, have him sign this contract." And because it was a 17 page contract, your friend didn't even read it. I would have an open & honest conversation with him about what your vision is for the software and what expectations you have for compensation, including equity. If you can't…
You're right, my roommate hasn't read the contract. I'm really just scared of his dad because I don't know what he's thinking.
First: recognize that you made a mistake here. Accepting the money without a contract is only going to confuse things. Pay the money back, (borrow from the First National Bank of Mom and Dad if you have to). While doing so, tell Roomie (and RoomieDad) that you want equity. Explain that you like the idea, and think you have a lot to contribute. Also explain that if they're not interested in giving you equity, that's c…
I haven't cashed the check yet, but I was approaching this as helping a friend out in exchange for lunch money or something so I feel like I should keep it?
I would advise you to talk to an IP attorney. They can probably help you rather cheaply and might not even charge. You're going to get a lot of moderately but not fully informed opinions on this site, as you're talking to a lot of people who have probably dealt with one end of somewhat similar situations. When it comes to law you're best talking to experts who have your exact situation in mind.
Thanks, I'll look into this. (Enjoy your blog btw)
You agreed to work on this as a contractor, for pay. You aren't being taken advantage of if you agreed to a price ahead of time (cap or no cap). Just because they have a good idea doesn't mean you have to be involved, there will be other great ideas that come your way as well. And hell, if this is successful, believe me: you don't want to be in business with the kind of guy who a) goes to his father for help on such…
Totally agree. You need to be true to your word. If the project has any future beyond the prototype, your friend would be crazy not to ask you to stay involved. The time to discuss compensation and risk is then. If you want something to happen, do a good job with the project and make your partners excited by the prospect of doing more.
I'll do this, but I still own the prototype, right?
OK, let me see if I got this right... Your roommate is paying you to do his homework and In order to "earn" that money, you're providing him with work that was already done before. Am I the only one who thinks there is something fundamentally wrong here? This thing was f*cked up before it started and needs to be terminated. Now. If your roommate is in college to learn something, leave him alone and let him learn. If…
It's not like that. Their professors gave permission to get outside help because they realized how absurd their expectations were midway through the semester. There's nothing wrong with selling copies I don't think. What about that girl who made millions selling the same sparkly MySpace skin to thousands of different high school girls? I've mostly copy and pasted old stuff and changed it to fit this project. So it's…
"There's nothing wrong with selling copies I don't think."
As long as that's what your buyer thinks he's paying for, right.
But if he thinks he's paying for custom work and you deliver something already made for someone else, I'd call that a problem.
It's not like that. Their professors gave permission to get outside help because they realized how absurd their expectations were midway through the semester. There's nothing wrong with selling copies I don't think. What about that girl who made millions selling the same sparkly MySpace skin to thousands of different high school girls? I've mostly copy and pasted old stuff and changed it to fit this project. So it's…
"There's nothing wrong with selling copies I don't think." As long as that's what your buyer thinks he's paying for, right. But if he thinks he's paying for custom work and you deliver something already made for someone else, I'd call that a problem.
Oh right, he clearly understands that I am doing that. I'm not trying to be sly or anything.
"There's nothing wrong with selling copies I don't think." As long as that's what your buyer thinks he's paying for, right. But if he thinks he's paying for custom work and you deliver something already made for someone else, I'd call that a problem.
Oh right, he clearly understands that I am doing that. I'm not trying to be sly or anything.
Cool. I hope you found what you're looking for here. Let us know how you work things out.
I don't understand two things: a) If the film school is a college, couldn't your roommate get expelled for cheating? b) Would not the college own the IP anyway?
It's my understanding that the copyright for schoolwork always belongs to its original authors; it does not become property of the school.
Don't work with this guy. He's trying to take advantage of you. If his dad is a lawyer, you are going to be in a trouble if you actually get into some kind of a disagreement with the guy. He can say that you did in fact have a verbal agreement and that he showed you the papers and you agreed. $400 is very, cery little money if there is a possibility of legal fight involved and by giving you the contract he has laread…
...or the roommate may have perfectly good intentions, but his father's intervention is damaging the business relationship, and either the roommate doesn't recognize that's going on or can't tell his father to tone things down a bit. Any way you interpret it, though, it's a warning sign.
"or can't tell his father to tone things down a bit."
If he can't tell his father that a 17 page contract for a $400 gig is inappropriate and counter-productive, then he's no business partner worth having.
First: recognize that you made a mistake here. Accepting the money without a contract is only going to confuse things. Pay the money back, (borrow from the First National Bank of Mom and Dad if you have to). While doing so, tell Roomie (and RoomieDad) that you want equity. Explain that you like the idea, and think you have a lot to contribute. Also explain that if they're not interested in giving you equity, that's c…
I haven't cashed the check yet, but I was approaching this as helping a friend out in exchange for lunch money or something so I feel like I should keep it?
You can keep it, if you intend to keep working on it. But don't sign the crazy contract, and don't agree that what you're building belongs to your friend except as it pertains to his use as a school project. If you want to commercialize it (and maybe if he wants to be involved), you should retain all rights to do so...and it sounds like any contract that involves your roommates father isn't going to be acceptable--he's a lawyer who thinks his son farts rainbows...you need to set the terms. I don't mean "go over the 17 page contract of doom with a pen and make a few changes"...I mean start from a blank page, specify the terms, state your ownership position (100% unless you want to partner with this cat on a future business), and hand it over. It'll only be one page, so even his dad will be able to understand it.