Can I give Adobe files to company for commercial use

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
November 16, 2020
4 replies
1221 views

Hi,

I have made a book cover for a company using Illustrator and InDesign. They now want to use it and want the files - including fonts.
In order to change any content, they would need someone else with the Adobe license to do so or buy it themselves.
Is it legal for me to give them these files?
Also - I am a student and I used the student license back then to make this cover. Dont know if this change anything.

Hope you can help me with this question. I just want to be sure - and do the right thing. Thank you so much in advance!

This topic has been closed for replies.

Barb Binder

Community Expert

My 2¢:

Work for Hire agreements are fairly common for freelancers in our industry. From wikipedia: "[a work made for hire] is an exception to the general rule that the person who actually creates a work is the legally recognized author of that work". (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_for_hire) As a freelancer, if I haven't signed a WFH, I don't send over the original files. But as per @Brad @ Roaring Mouse, goodwill is important, particularly if you want to work with this client again, or use them for a recommendation. It sounds like you are just starting out—so I would look at this as a learning opportunity. Do what you need to do to keep this client happy (but don't send the fonts—as previously stated, that is illegal), and clarify the expectations before you start the next job.
I also wholeheartedly agree with @JonathanArias. Reviewing how someone set up a document is the best way to gauge their skill level in the application. If you are handing over original files, make sure they are well-organized and pristine. In both apps, name and organize your layers, use styles, don't use ¶¶s for spacing, etc.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Normally you supply a customer with a suitable PDF – are they paying you for the original files as well as the design?

C

charmainem26296207Author

Participating Frequently

I am very new to this - so I have honestly not agreed this with them to begin with. They just asked me for a book cover and paid for this. But they haven't asked for the original files at first - only just now.

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charmainem26296207Author

Participating Frequently

This matter is important, not only for the copyright of your designs but especially if your design includes content, such as photographs and illustrations that may have copyright and other caveats.

I haven't used any photos - only illustrations made by me

JonathanArias

Legend

yes, you should give them the files by packaging them

they will need their own adobe sotwared, yes, this is normal, this is how it works. 🙂

remember, you don't own the work you do for people. they do. the client paid for the cover, they own it and have the right to the files anytime.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Going to respectfully disagree, Jonathan. That is only the case if you're an employee or you've been contracted to supply those files. Otherwise, they get a PDF and that's it.

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charmainem26296207Author

Participating Frequently

Really happy to get this question answered! Thanks so much!
I have been unsure, if this was the case or not.

They asked me to make the cover. But they have not asked for the "original" files at first. Just for a book cover. No contract was made either. So I wasn't sure about above mentioned.