Full Template Text
Copy the usable agreement below, replace every [BRACKET] placeholder, then customize for your situation.
Work for Hire Agreement
WORK FOR HIRE AND IP ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This Work for Hire and IP Assignment Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Effective Date] (the "Effective Date"),
BETWEEN:
[Hiring Party Name], with a principal place of business at [Hiring Party Address] (the "Hiring Party");
AND
[Creator Name], with a principal place of business at [Creator Address] (the "Creator").
The Hiring Party and the Creator may be referred to individually as a "Party" and collectively as the "Parties."
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
The Creator will produce: [Description of Work] (the "Work") by [Delivery Date], meeting specifications in [Specifications Reference].
2. WORK FOR HIRE DECLARATION
The Parties intend the Work to qualify as a "work made for hire" to the maximum extent permitted by the Copyright Act. If not deemed work for hire, assignment applies per Section 3.
3. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS (BACKUP)
To the extent the Work is not work for hire, the Creator assigns all right, title, and interest in [Work Product Definition] to the Hiring Party, including copyrights and renewals worldwide.
4. COMPENSATION
Compensation: [Compensation Amount], payable per [Payment Schedule]. Creator is responsible for taxes as an independent contractor unless otherwise stated.
5. DELIVERY TIMELINE
Draft delivery: [Draft Delivery Date]; final delivery: [Delivery Date]. Acceptance occurs when Work conforms to specifications or Client fails to reject within [Acceptance Period] days with specific deficiencies.
6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Creator represents the Work is original (except disclosed pre-existing materials), does not infringe third-party rights, and Creator has authority to grant rights herein.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
The Creator will indemnify the Hiring Party against third-party IP claims arising from the Work, except to the extent caused by Hiring Party materials or modifications.
8. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Creator will protect confidential information of the Hiring Party and use it only to create the Work.
9. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of [Governing Law / Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict-of-law principles. The courts located in [Governing Law / Jurisdiction] will have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, unless the Parties agree in writing to mediation before litigation.
10. GENERAL
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties concerning its subject matter and supersedes prior or contemporaneous agreements on that subject.
(b) Amendments. Modifications must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
(c) Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect.
(d) Assignment. Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the other Party's prior written consent, except to a successor in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all assets.
(e) Counterparts and Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including electronic signatures, each of which will be deemed an original.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
HIRING PARTY
Name: [Hiring Party Name]
Signature: _______________________________
Name of Signatory: _______________________
Title: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
CREATOR
Name: [Creator Name]
Signature: _______________________________
Name of Signatory: _______________________
Title: ___________________________________
Date: ____________________________________
This is a starting template, not legal advice. Have a qualified attorney review it for your jurisdiction and use case before signing.
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
- Work Description — Detailed description of the work product to be created.
- WFH Declaration — Explicit statement that the work is created as “work made for hire.”
- Assignment Backup — If the work doesn’t qualify as WFH under copyright law, the creator assigns all rights to the hiring party.
- Compensation — Payment terms for creating the work.
- Delivery — Timeline, format, and acceptance criteria.
- Warranties — Creator warrants the work is original and doesn’t infringe third-party rights.
- Indemnification — Creator indemnifies hiring party against IP infringement claims.
- Confidentiality — Protect proprietary information shared during the engagement.
How to Customize This Template
- Sign before work begins — A WFH agreement MUST be signed before the work is created to be legally valid.
- Be specific about deliverables — Clearly describe what work is covered by the agreement.
- Include moral rights waiver — In some jurisdictions, creators have “moral rights” that survive transfer. Include a waiver where legally permitted.
- 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
- Upload — Drop this agreement into WPsigner
- Add fields — Signature, date, and work description acknowledgment
- Send — Email a secure signing link
- Track — Ensure the agreement is signed before work begins
- Store — Archived with timestamps proving execution date