There is automatic determination of copyright ownership unless the consultant and the client company execute an agreement specifically assigning the copyright to the client company.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to U.S. copyright law, the default rule is that the person who creates the work is the legal author and owner of the copyright unless there is a contract or agreement that states otherwise. Therefore, without a specific agreement assigning ownership of the copyright to the client company, the consultant retains ownership.

There Is Automatic Determination of Copyright Ownership Unless the Consultant