Intellectual Property Rights in the Gig Economy: What Founders Should Know

The Freelancer Advantage

Many founders engage freelancers to support their startup. This arrangement offers:

• Critical project completion
• Competitive pricing
• Direct freelancer-client relationships

Who Owns the Work?

When it comes to intellectual property created by freelancers, the law is clear: the founder owns the work through the "work made for hire" doctrine.

Understanding Copyright Ownership

• Normal rule: Creator owns copyright
• Exception: "Work made for hire" gives ownership to employer
• Applies to freelance work created for hire

Trademark Considerations

• Rights based on commercial use
• Freelancers create but don't use marks
• Business ownership through commercial use

Platform Protections

Most gig platforms protect founders' rights:

• Fiverr policy: "Buyers are granted all rights for delivered work"
• Always review gig listings for ownership terms
• Verify intellectual property transfer details

Moving Forward Confidently

Don't hesitate to engage freelancers for your projects. Just ensure:

• Clear ownership terms
• Written agreements
• Platform policy review

Ready to protect your intellectual property while working with freelancers? Book your free intellectual property assessment.

‍