Free Work for Hire Agreement Template

A Work for Hire Agreement ensures the hiring party owns all intellectual property rights to the work created. This template is essential for businesses commissioning content, software, designs, or other creative works.

What Is a Work for Hire Agreement?

A work-for-hire (WFH) agreement establishes that the person or company paying for creative work is the legal “author” and owner of the copyright — not the person who actually created it. This is critical for businesses that need full ownership of commissioned content, code, designs, music, or other copyrightable works.

Key Clauses to Include

1. Work Description — Detailed description of the work product to be created.
2. WFH Declaration — Explicit statement that the work is created as “work made for hire.”
3. Assignment Backup — If the work doesn’t qualify as WFH under copyright law, the creator assigns all rights to the hiring party.
4. Compensation — Payment terms for creating the work.
5. Delivery — Timeline, format, and acceptance criteria.
6. Warranties — Creator warrants the work is original and doesn’t infringe third-party rights.
7. Indemnification — Creator indemnifies hiring party against IP infringement claims.
8. Confidentiality — Protect proprietary information shared during the engagement.

How to Customize This Template

1. Sign before work begins — A WFH agreement MUST be signed before the work is created to be legally valid.
2. Be specific about deliverables — Clearly describe what work is covered by the agreement.
3. Include moral rights waiver — In some jurisdictions, creators have “moral rights” that survive transfer. Include a waiver where legally permitted.
4. Specify all formats and derivatives — Cover the work in all media, formats, and derivative works, now and in the future.

How to Send for E-Signature with WPsigner

1. Upload — Drop this agreement into WPsigner
2. Add fields — Signature, date, and work description acknowledgment
3. Send — Email a secure signing link
4. Track — Ensure the agreement is signed before work begins
5. Store — Archived with timestamps proving execution date