: First off, read your contract with her. Does it specify that she retains rights? If it does, you're done. If it's a standard work-for-hire agreement (Company hires Designer to create XYZ for

First off, read your contract with her. Does it specify that she retains rights? If it does, you're done.

If it's a standard work-for-hire agreement (Company hires Designer to create XYZ for $$$), then I would say the designer doesn't "own" that design. You hired her to do it, she did it, you paid her, it's yours. Otherwise she could take the design she created for you and use it for a dozen other clients, diluting your brand.

Second, has she been paid already? If she has already received all money for all work completed, then I think ownership transfers to you (minus any prior agreement otherwise).

If she had done work for you on spec (that is, you asked for a sample or a mockup) but she hasn't been paid yet, or you took her work and gave to someone else to improve without paying her, then she has some grounds for complaint. She's done the work, but you haven't completed your end of the contract.

It sounds to me like the designer is trying to keep paid work coming in but is being clumsy about it.

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