I need your opinion - Selling Custom Files

[runninwild400]

If you had a customer that gave you a photograph of something they wanted cut out,,,something custom, and you paid a third party to convert that photo for you, would it be ok for that third party to sell that custom file to anyone that wanted it???? So now that custom sign that you made that should of been the only one like it isn't so custom anymore. Just looking for some opinions here.

[boodog710]

The person you paid to convert the file did not own it so in my opinion it would be improper if not illegal for him to use or sell it it to others. I suggest you contact an attorney for proper legal advice.

[fyrpower]

they should not be able to sell it unless you give permission

[srp]

One does not find honor in the company of theives. If you need to have work like this done you may have to do it yourself or find someone with an honest reputaion.

[blocker]

If you paid this person for there CAD time then you and/or your customer alone should own that file,you bought it.

[lewi444]

This has happend to me also I had a customer that wanted a drawing turned into metal art I had someone make a dxf file for me. then I bought an art file that had the very same windmill on it. Now i'm still just another cookie cutter. I bet when my custermer finds out i'll never get any more work from them. I could be in bad trouble! I just don't know how to handle it.

[fishnfryd]

it may just be due to a misunderstanding and it may not be too late to renegotiate

Caveat emptor

I wouldn't fault the artist unless she actually agreed to exclusivity