Contracting question
by Jason Correia · in General Discussion · 06/28/2005 (12:59 pm) · 16 replies
Question(s) needed to help better prepare myself for contracting help
1. is their a website that has the legal paperwork built in? so I don't have to worry about someone thinking they own some part of the IP
2. anything else that I am missing in contracting professional developers would greatly be appreciated
more questions will be asked right now my head isn't working properly.
Thanks in advance
-Jason
1. is their a website that has the legal paperwork built in? so I don't have to worry about someone thinking they own some part of the IP
2. anything else that I am missing in contracting professional developers would greatly be appreciated
more questions will be asked right now my head isn't working properly.
Thanks in advance
-Jason
About the author
#2
06/28/2005 (9:10 pm)
You need a licensing agreement. This is the form you want. So you can start by looking for a licensing agreement. A lot of office supply stores carry these forms.
#4
06/29/2005 (12:22 pm)
Go to www.rentacoder.com and check out what they offer. all contracts are built into the website/service.
#5
06/29/2005 (12:30 pm)
Thanks josh, is that what you use also for contracting other developers? 
#6
http://www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5796
It might help you out or at least give you a decent idea.
EDIT: Hmm URL code isn't working to good... It broke the link. Sorry
06/29/2005 (1:22 pm)
Here's a level designer contract I came up with. You could take it and modify it somehttp://www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=5796
It might help you out or at least give you a decent idea.
EDIT: Hmm URL code isn't working to good... It broke the link. Sorry
#7
The "legal" work really isn't that difficult, first what you do is you write a "contractor agreement", this is basically just a nondisclosure agreement with added information about when payments will be made etc (50% up front and 50% on completion is pretty common). Once this is signed you draw up a "work order" that contain what needs to be done, any deadlines and when and what will be paid and you're pretty much set.
I'm pretty sure you can find examples of similar documents with a quick search on the net. If you want me to take a look at your documents my email can be found in my profile. I would help you out writing them even but right now I'm a bit short on time.
(and as a shameless plug sort of thing; if you need any art done, let me know =)
06/29/2005 (1:23 pm)
I wouldn't use rentacoder... they take a decent chunk out of the money. The "legal" work really isn't that difficult, first what you do is you write a "contractor agreement", this is basically just a nondisclosure agreement with added information about when payments will be made etc (50% up front and 50% on completion is pretty common). Once this is signed you draw up a "work order" that contain what needs to be done, any deadlines and when and what will be paid and you're pretty much set.
I'm pretty sure you can find examples of similar documents with a quick search on the net. If you want me to take a look at your documents my email can be found in my profile. I would help you out writing them even but right now I'm a bit short on time.
(and as a shameless plug sort of thing; if you need any art done, let me know =)
#8
Shhhhh!!! Dammit you guys! You can't keep spillin' the beans like that! Geez! Why don't you give him your credit card information too while your at it...... :p
06/29/2005 (1:37 pm)
Quote:is this supposed to be a secret or sumthing?
Shhhhh!!! Dammit you guys! You can't keep spillin' the beans like that! Geez! Why don't you give him your credit card information too while your at it...... :p
#9
Rarely (if at all) anymore, but I used them heavily at first. Like Magnus said, they take a moderately high percentage, though it comes out of the contractor's pocket and not yours. I highly recommend them when getting started in navigating the contract work maze... but for the most part, they're like training wheels, and you'll want to lose them eventually. Excellent for getting started though, in my experience. If/when people ask me how they should get started, I tell them to go to RAC. It's great experience.
06/29/2005 (1:52 pm)
Quote:Thanks josh, is that what you use also for contracting other developers?
Rarely (if at all) anymore, but I used them heavily at first. Like Magnus said, they take a moderately high percentage, though it comes out of the contractor's pocket and not yours. I highly recommend them when getting started in navigating the contract work maze... but for the most part, they're like training wheels, and you'll want to lose them eventually. Excellent for getting started though, in my experience. If/when people ask me how they should get started, I tell them to go to RAC. It's great experience.
#10
@Magnus: thanks man I would really appreciate that soon as I'm done with my design doc I'll email you.
@ josh: would you consider doing project management on a freelance basis just curious could really use someone with experience to at least teach me the ropes. if not it was worth a try
Thanks again everyone
-Jason
06/29/2005 (6:26 pm)
Thanks so much guys I really appreciate this@Magnus: thanks man I would really appreciate that soon as I'm done with my design doc I'll email you.
Quote:(and as a shameless plug sort of thing; if you need any art done, let me know =)you can definently hear sumthing from me about art I just want to get my communication,contracting, and milestone plans in order to reveal my game idea.
@ josh: would you consider doing project management on a freelance basis just curious could really use someone with experience to at least teach me the ropes. if not it was worth a try
Thanks again everyone
-Jason
#11
06/29/2005 (8:22 pm)
@jason: no, but I appreciate the offer and you're always welcome to email me with questions or just someone to bounce ideas off of.
#12
06/29/2005 (9:09 pm)
Thanks I appreciate that and I'll definently do that , but I won't bug you 2 much I promise :-)
#13
You can outsource programming at this awesome website I've become a member at: RentACoder
you retain ALL the rights to ANY work you get done from that site.. They have legally binding contracts that the programmer (coder) agrees to.. plus they have a safe escrow system so that you don't have to worry about paying some guy for a $5000 project and not getting anything in return. You only have to pay the programmer(s) if you are happy with what you get.
I've become a coder AND a buyer at RAC.. doing small projects helps supplement my income.
Tom
07/15/2005 (2:14 pm)
I posted this in another post, but you sound like you need it too:You can outsource programming at this awesome website I've become a member at: RentACoder
you retain ALL the rights to ANY work you get done from that site.. They have legally binding contracts that the programmer (coder) agrees to.. plus they have a safe escrow system so that you don't have to worry about paying some guy for a $5000 project and not getting anything in return. You only have to pay the programmer(s) if you are happy with what you get.
I've become a coder AND a buyer at RAC.. doing small projects helps supplement my income.
Tom
#14
07/15/2005 (2:20 pm)
@Thomas: As I said before, just keep in mind that rentacoder takes 15(!)% of the money...
#15
Tell me about it! I was referring people over the RAC for outsourcing... but that is a fair warning
07/15/2005 (5:19 pm)
Magnus, Tell me about it! I was referring people over the RAC for outsourcing... but that is a fair warning
#16
a lot of people hook up on RAC for a project, then paypal for subsequent ones
07/15/2005 (9:38 pm)
You pay if you don't have contacts...a lot of people hook up on RAC for a project, then paypal for subsequent ones
Jason Correia