Work for Hire Agreement (Writer)
Form reviewed by Bahman Eslamboly, Attorney at FindLegalForms
Work for Hire Agreement for a writer.
Instant Download
$19.95
Free eSignature included
File types included
- Microsoft Word
- Adobe PDF
- WordPerfect
- Rich Text Format
Compatible with
- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Linux
For Immediate Download
$19.95
Free eSignature included
with every order
Attorney prepared
Our forms are kept up-to-date and accurate by our lawyers
Valid in your state
Our forms are guaranteed to be valid in your state
Over 3,500,000 satisfied customers
Free eSignature
Sign your form online, free with any form purchase
60-Days Money Back
Try our forms with no risk
25+ Years Trusted
Serving customers since 2001
In most cases, the creator of a work is the sole and exclusive owner of the copyright in that work. The copyright becomes the property of the creator immediately and automatically as soon as the work in question is set in a fixed form (i.e., a text is fixed when it is written down).
However, in certain situations, the person or entity that hires the creator to create the work will be the owner of the copyright in that work. Such a work is called a “work for hire.” The Copyright Act of 1976 sets forth certain specific rules and guidelines establishing when a work may be considered to be a work for hire.
A work created by an independent contractor must also fall within one of nine specific categories of works in order to qualify as a work for hire. According to the nine categories set forth in the Copyright Act, a work for must be:
(1) A contribution to a collective work
(2) A part of a motion picture of other audiovisual work
(3) A translation
(4) A supplementary work
(5) A compilation
(6) An instructional text
(7) A test
(8) Answer material for a test
(9) An atlas
Included in this kit is a sample form for drafting a Writer’s Work for Hire Agreement, hiring an independent contractor to create a musical composition as a work for hire.
State Law Compliance: Designed for use in all states.
Among others, this form includes the following provisions:
• Work For Hire Defined
• Assignment
• Payment
• Delivery
• Writer’s Representations and Warranties
• Governing Law
Work for Hire Agreement (Writer)
Product Details
| Product | Work for Hire Agreement (Writer) |
| Country | United States |
| Pages | 7 |
| Dimensions | Designed for Letter Size (8.5" x 11") |
| Printer compatibility | Designed to print on all ink-jet and laser printers |
| Editable | Yes (.doc, .wpd and .rtf) |
| Format |
Microsoft Word Adobe PDF WordPerfect Rich Text Format |
| Platform |
Windows Compatible Mac Compatible Linux Compatible |
| Availability | In Stock. Instant Download |
| Usage | Unlimited number of prints |
| Category | Work for Hire |
| Product number | #28032 |
| Download time | Less than 1 minute (approx.) |
| Document Access |
Via secret online address Email with download links Email with attachment upon request |
| Refund Policy | 60 days, no-questions asked, 100% money back guarantee |
Frequently Asked Questions
A work for hire agreement is a legal document that establishes the terms under which a creator, such as a writer, produces a work for another party, typically transferring the copyright ownership to the hiring party.
This agreement should be used whenever a writer is hired to create a work that the hiring party intends to own, particularly in cases where copyright ownership is a concern.
Key components include definitions of work for hire, assignment of rights, payment terms, delivery expectations, and representations and warranties from the writer.
Yes, this form is designed for use in all states, but it is advisable to consult local laws to ensure compliance with specific state regulations.
If a work does not meet the criteria set forth in the Copyright Act, the creator retains copyright ownership unless otherwise agreed upon in a separate contract.
Is This Form Right For You?
Use This Form If:
- Individuals who are hiring freelance writers for projects may need this agreement to ensure that the copyright of the written work is transferred to them. This is particularly important for businesses that require original content for marketing or branding purposes.
- Situations requiring a clear understanding of ownership rights often arise in publishing. Publishers can use this agreement to secure the rights to written works produced by authors, ensuring that they have full control over the distribution and reproduction of the content.
- For those involved in film or television production, a work for hire agreement is essential when hiring screenwriters. This ensures that the production company retains ownership of the script and any derivative works, preventing potential legal disputes over copyright later on.
- Companies developing educational materials may find this form necessary when contracting writers to create instructional texts or tests. By using this agreement, they can guarantee that the copyright of the educational content belongs to the company, allowing for its use in various formats and platforms.
- Agencies that manage creative talent often require this agreement when negotiating contracts with writers. It helps clarify the terms of payment and delivery while ensuring that the agency retains the rights to the created works for their clients.
Do Not Use If:
- – This form is not appropriate when the writer intends to retain ownership of their work. In such cases, a different agreement should be drafted that allows for licensing or other arrangements.
- – If the written work does not fall into one of the nine categories specified by the Copyright Act, using this form may lead to legal complications regarding copyright ownership.
- – Situations where the hiring party does not require exclusive rights to the work may not need a work for hire agreement. In these cases, a simple contract outlining the terms of use may suffice.
- – This agreement is not suitable for collaborative works where multiple authors are involved unless all parties agree to the terms of ownership and rights transfer.
- – If the writer is an employee of the hiring party, a standard employment agreement may be more appropriate than a work for hire agreement, which is typically used for independent contractors.
Related Forms
Work for Hire Agreement (Editor)
Work for Hire Agreement for an editor.
Work for Hire Agreement (Composer / Musician)
Work for Hire Agreement for a musician or composer.
Work for Hire Agreement (Musician)
Work for Hire Agreement for a musician.
Independent Label License Agreement
This Independent Label License Agreement is between a music artist and an independent label who will...
Assignment of Inventions to Employer
This Assignment of Inventions will effectively assign any inventions an employee discovers on the jo...
Assignment of Interest in Patent
This Assignment of Patent will assign all interests in a patent from the present owner to another pa...
Looking for something else?
Search our extensive library of legal forms