Maps and Copyright - help!

Posted Tue, 09/06/2009 - 18:38 by SwapmyLife

Hi there all!
This is my first posting on the flying startups site, and felt it was about time after reading the book, listening to the podcasts and buying the T-shirt (well ok, maybe if they made T-shirts I would have!).

I am month 5 into my business idea and have undertaken my own market reaserch as well as completed a full analysis of my competition. My business plan is nearly complete and my marketing strategy is growing by the day. The business is going to be a web based business where members sign up for a small fee for some amazing perks (they can also trial for free) however at this stage can't say any more than that otherwise I may have to kill you!! I am yet to decide who to design and develop my website (the quotes are coming back now). I never realised that it would be so taxing deciding who to build the site! Nevertheless I am enjoying every minute and the freedom that comes with preparing and starting my own business.

However I have a couple of questions for people:

Firstly, if I want to include a map on my website that users can add information onto (i.e. listings) am i permitted to use Google maps?

Secondly, one of the web designers/developers has asked to keep the copyrights of the brand/logo for a limited amount of time then sell it back to me on a set fee once the business is successful. None of the other developers/designers have asked that. I already have a logo, and do understand that if software/database has been created by them that would be the only the part of the website that they own the copyright to.....not the brand or logo. Am I correct or have I lost my mind?

Thanks so much fellow startups!
SwapmyLife

Comments

Copyright hmm

by stu567blue - 10/06/2009 - 16:20

Hi There
I'm a website designer from South Devon and have been trading for over 3 months now. I'll try and be a bit of help to you.

In regards to using google maps what I would recommend you do is contact them at the their head office in ireland either via post or e-mail, they might have a telephone number somewhere.

Another way you could do it is by focusing on just the UK to start with and I think, however don't quote me, that maps of england are crown copyright and I think you can use them again it's always better to ask than to take.

With regards to your copyright of the logo, hmmm, why do they need to keep hold of the copyrights for something that you have paid for. We have designed logos for clients and have always sent them the original logo and copys to their address on a CD and have never asked to keep the copyright for them as that's what your paying for, that as well as designing of the logo.

I'm not going to say find another web designer but just be a little bit cautious as to why they want to keep it.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Robert Haylor

RONETW

Thanks!

by SwapmyLife - 13/06/2009 - 16:06

Thanks Robert!
I will definitely check out Google maps as you have suggested and I completely agree about the logo! It was only the one company out of the may web design/development agencies that I got quotes from who threw that into their proposal and it didnt sit right with me! Thanks for confirming that I havent lost the plot....yet anyway!
Regards
Zoe

Brand/Logo

by Avril - 15/06/2009 - 09:55

Hi Zoe,

I've worked as a web developer in the past (left that life behind). Like Robert, I would never dream of trying to retain copyright on a client's logo. It's your logo and your brand. I can't help but suspect two rather unethical things:

1. They want to hold your logo to ransom to keep you tied to them for web work. If they have to resort to such tactics, they can't have enough faith in their own business, or their ability to build relationships with customers and keep them happy.

2. They're thinking that if your business fails, they will be left with a ready made logo they could offer to sell to someone else, possibly even claiming to have designed it brand new and exclusively for that client.

I don't like the sound of these people. And as for selling your own logo back to you for a set fee later ... well, apart from anything, you said you already have a logo, so what exactly do they imagine their 'design' input is going to be? Scanning a print of it and tidying it up?

The most important thing I think you should be doing is quizzing these websters (all of them) on how they ensure security of your data and your site, so it can't be hacked, stolen, etc; how they propose to future-proof your site; how they will go about ensuring that it is easy to extend and alter in the future; and how closely their sites comply with Accessibility laws and general usability (see webcredible, as mentioned in the Week by Week book). If you don't know enough to ask the right questions and know if you're getting the right answers, find a friend who does and who is willing to help you. Your website can be a godsend or a complete failure and the bain of your life. Make sure your business doesn't falter because your web crew are a bunch of wannabes with a copy of Serif WebPlus and no programming skills.

I wish you every success with your interesting and unusual business, and with your website.

Regards,

Avril

Thanks!

by SwapmyLife - 23/06/2009 - 14:50

Hi Avril
Again, really valuable advise! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my query! I have taken the plunge and signed up with an amazing web development/design company that has produced excellent work in the past. I followed your advise and made sure a couple of friends went over their proposal and we made sure all questions were answered. Funnily enough they made no mention of keeping copyright of my brand and logo!
Thanks again guys!
Zoe