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Whose job is it to pay the lawyers to write the software development contract, the client or the contractor?
I'm talking about a contract worth maybe five to six thousand dollars.
The difficult we do right away...
...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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I would have thought it would be the client. What sort of cost for the contract to be written, could be more than the value of the work.
The 5-6k is for your work not their and your protection. I used to have a proforma contract which seemed to satisfy most needs, in the 90s 
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity
RAH
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Thanks, Mycroft. 
The difficult we do right away...
...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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It's always the client's (contracting party) responsibility to provide any agreement required. I'd still review all the terms closely to make sure everything is acceptable to both parties. The terms can be negotiable if one of the parties strongly disagrees with something.
FYI... for that small of a contract, you can probably just look for something online that has broad terms that fit the need and attach some requirements to that, that way everybody knows what to expect when the contract ends.
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Don't pay lawyers to do it! There are plenty of pro-forma contracts available on contracting sites (e.g. ContractorUk.com). If you are offering a service then you offer YOUR terms and conditions - that is all a contract is. If the client is not willing to accept your T&C's then it is their responsibility to offer an alternative - which you are within your rights to reject, accept or offer suggestions for amendments.
Software Development contracts are no different to any other service provided by any other supplier... negotiation may be more prevalent is all.
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Its good to keep a standard template for easy customization
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Who do you want to be in control - the client, or yourself? It also depends on where you are - in the UK you need to be fully conversant with IR35 (personal services company taxation) and it's virtually certain that a client-provided contract will be inadequate. If you're a contractor, you should be a member of your "local" trade association - in the UK that would be IPSE[^] and any decent association will provide sound template contracts.
I always offer my "standard" contract (based very closely on the IPSE one) and clients are normally happy with this. If they are reluctant, just tell them that you can use their contract but will need to charge them for an independent contract review. Even if they insist on using theirs and refuse to stump up the review fees, it's usually worth paying for the review yourself anyway - certainly in the UK in the current climate.
FYI, my standard contract simply refers to a "schedule" for the actual scope of the project, timescales, and fees. That's again based on a boilerplate but customising the contract and schedule normally takes only 1/2 hour or so, even on a larger contract.
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Anyone here have a contact in business insurance for web sites, preferably in LA? Thx
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how much would it cost to develop gps system?
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The same as the answer to your repost of this question.
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How much would it cost to build a car?
You see how this works? If you come up with a vague statement like this, you have no idea of what the scope is of what you are trying to do. Without the scope, you cannot estimate the cost.
This space for rent
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How much do you have?[^]
Now, if you mean a GPS receiver terminal... well, it really depends on what you want it for and what you want on it. The cost of receivers nowadays is all over the place, you can go from something really cheap like a GPS receiver module or integrated circuit to something that's commercial consumer driven to something that's military equipment. Every one of those options will have a cost that's completely different, depends on wants/needs (also known as requirements  ).
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Agree on point of requirement.
Cost can be calculated on the effort.
Effort can be calculated once the requirement are freezed.
Happy Coding...
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About to hire my first programmer. Using Visual Studio 2913 with code checked into Visual Studio Online' which uses TFS (Team Foundation Services)
I want to protect my code from being 'ripped off'
How should I protect my code?
(I hope I am posting this in the correct place)
Thanks for any help
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Simple; you can't. Find people you can trust.
Practical example; say I write a Memento-pattern for one of your applications, to provide Undo/Redo functionality. There's nothing stopping me from coding the same pattern in my own application. That is not a "ripp off", it is merely doing the same thing again, but in a different application.
'nother example; someone wrote a copy-protection scheme, and it needs maintenance. How could I perform maintenance, without seeing the code? Once it is seen, it can be reproduced.
Bastard Programmer from Hell 
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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Thank you for your reply,
I understand what you are saying. I am more worried about how to keep someone from stealing the entire application code for themselves.
How do I protect myself from this?
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If you paid them for the work, then the ownership of the codebase is legally yours. You'd have copyright.
You could break up your application into modules, and mak sure that some of the writers have no knowledge of the other modules - but that creates more risk (what if all people with knowledge of module A are sick?) than it actually adds.
See, all the modules would come together in a setup-package. The person who goes to the client and installs the stuff might just as easily copy the entire product.
Most shops that I know of don't even think about their employees as potential liabilities. I'd be looking for work elsewhere right away.
Bastard Programmer from Hell
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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Actually, it depends on the terms of the employment contract and the jurisdiction.
If the person is a contractor, then unless explicitly stated in the contract, they may retain copyright and IP ownership and you can only use the code for the purpose stated in the contract.
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He was referring to employees, not contractors
If you give someone else the assignment (someone who is not working for you), then you need additional agreements, regardless of whether it is a contractor or another company.
Bastard Programmer from Hell
If you can't read my code, try converting it here[^]
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You cannot hide the source code from the programmer. At any cost, at any circumstances programmer would be able to re-write the code of your application, just even if he knows what your application is doing; if that is his intent.
Since you're running the business and before hiring the programmer you should have full control over which person you are going to make a business relation with. You should first of all write your policy and other terms, that he must accept before he starts the job.
In those terms you can indicate what-so-ever you want to abide him by. But still that doesn't give a 100% guarantee that programmer would always ensure the terms being applied on him. In these cases you are always allowed to use legal jurisdiction to fight for your right (if there are some).
The sh*t I complain about
It's like there ain't a cloud in the sky and it's raining out - Eminem
~! Firewall !~
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You could always have the programmer sign a non-disclosure/non-compete agreement.
"I've seen more information on a frickin' sticky note!" - Dave Kreskowiak
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Two steps on top of my mind:
1. Keeping core algorithms and code to yourself, with others just getting a dll to link to.
2. Making sure that the licensing algorithm and code is with you alone. You alone should hold the license generator.
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1. You could make them partners in your company. Then they'd be stealing from themselves.
2. Give them profit sharing so that the more money the code makes the more money they make then they have no reason to steal it.
3. Pay them so handomely it would be more work to steal the code than to sit back and rake in the money you are paying them.
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THE ONLY BEST WAY IS TO FIND SOMEONE OR A PROGRAMMER YOU REALLY TRUST OR MAKE HIM OR HER A SHAREHOLDER IN YOUR BUSINESS.
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Just a gentle reminder that all-capitals is considered to be "shouting" on the internet, and rude. Best to use sentence-case when posting.
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