A web developer posted a payment shaming message on their client's site

Post by petercooper » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC

elevatortrim wrote: post #50

petercooper wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the UK, this is less of a problem, though it depends a lot on the contract between the company and the developer. Assuming nothing exotic, that the statement on the site is true (and not a malicious falsehood) and that if the hosting belongs to the end customer they did not revoke the developer's access (i.e. no unauthorised access occurred), then the developer is in a reasonable position legally. IANAL, of course…

So if I'm a builder, can I build a wall in front of your grocery store's door if you did not pay me, as long as I do not lie and I do not break in?

Post by ecb_penguin » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 4:07 PM UTC

reaperducer wrote: post #91

SoftTalker wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This strikes me as something like a landlord changing the locks when a tenant gets behind on the rent. In many jurisdictions this is illegal, as there exists a defined process for dealing with non-payment of rent: eviction.

I see it more like when a restaurant doesn't pay the lease on their kitchen equipment and the kitchen equipment company comes and puts giant unremovable orange stickers on the restaurant windows letting the owner and the world know that the equipment inside is their property and must be surrendered or legal action will be taken.

Post by ecb_penguin » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 4:12 PM UTC

shadowgovt wrote: post #81

ecb_penguin wrote: post #29

I have no idea what the contract says, what was paid, or any of the other conversations they've had. All I see is someone complaining publicly about a private matter. When that happens, I assume they're wrong. Normal people don't air petty grievances on the internet. They use the courts and other mechanisms. According to another comment, the business is dissolved. They don't care if their site goes down. So this guy…

Counterpoint: airing petty grievances on the Internet has proven, time and again, to be a remarkably effective way of getting the grievance addressed by an otherwise inaccessible third party. Evidence: just about every post on Hacker News about Google breaking that eventually attracts a personal followup from a Googler who reads HN. If you're angry about not getting paid and your client has given you control over par…

Post by qingcharles » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 5:34 PM UTC

lsaferite wrote: post #52

josefresco wrote: post #5

I build websites for a living and sometimes people don't pay their bills. Their website going down is usually not a big deal (sometimes they don't notice for months!). But their email, now THAT is a show stopper every time (instant payment).

Back when I used to work freelance, I learned that all my contracts needed to have a provision not releasing IP rights until final payment was made. This provides the legal stick to side-step going through a commercial contract dispute. You frequently run into companies wanting to pay fractions of amounts due and not having a strong incentive to hurry along a resolution. Instead, without IP assignment it becomes a co…

Post by qingcharles » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 5:39 PM UTC

ecb_penguin wrote: post #56

JohnGB wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You say that as if the courts are a reasonable solution for most people. In many cases the cost and time render them useless and often cost more than the invoice that is due. In some jurisdictions you may recover this, but in many you can't.

You say that as if airing your problems on the internet is a reasonable solution for most people. We have small claims courts in every jurisdiction in the US. It costs $50 to file, and you do not need an attorney. The courts will review the contract and generally reach a reasonable decision. There's always a cost/benefit to things. I bet the courts have returned more money than Facebook posts have...