A Copywriter usually reaches for a Work-for-Hire Agreement when when the client must own the finished creative work outright. This free template does one job well: it assigns full ownership of the created work to the client on payment. It is written for how copywriters actually work — around website copy, a sales page or a batch of articles, the familiar headache of rewrites requested because the brief changed after work began, and getting paid on 50% to reserve the slot and 50% on delivery of the first full draft. Use a Work-for-Hire Agreement rather than something looser, because when you want to license the work and keep the underlying rights. Edit any line to fit your rates and terms, then send it for e-signature in a couple of minutes — no account for your client, and it is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
WORK-FOR-HIRE AGREEMENT — COPYWRITER
1. PARTIES
This Work-for-Hire Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Creator"), a Copywriter. Together they are the "Parties".
2. THE WORK
The Creator will produce finished written copy in the agreed word count and format as described here: ____________. This is the "Work" whose rights are assigned under this Agreement.
3. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS
On full payment, the Creator assigns to the Client all rights in the Work. This is a work-for-hire; the Client owns it outright. Note the copyright assigning to the client on payment, and whether the writer may cite the work as a sample that apply to a Copywriter.
4. FEES & PAYMENT
The fee is $____________. Payment terms: 50% to reserve the slot and 50% on delivery of the first full draft. Invoices are due within ____________ days. Late payments may pause work and accrue interest at ____________% per month.
5. CREDIT & MORAL RIGHTS
The Client may use the Work without crediting the Creator. The Creator may still list the project as a sample unless the Client asks otherwise in writing.
6. WARRANTIES
The Creator warrants the Work is original and does not knowingly infringe anyone's rights, taking into account the copyright assigning to the client on payment, and whether the writer may cite the work as a sample relevant to a Copywriter.
7. TERMINATION
Either Party may end this Agreement with ____________ days' written notice. On termination, work delivered to date is invoiced and the kill fee applies if cancelled mid-draft, and the Client pays for all work completed to that point.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
9. WORD COUNT & SCOPE
The fee covers up to ____________ words on the agreed brief. Added pages or a changed brief are quoted separately.
10. REVISION ROUNDS
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions on the agreed scope. Extra rounds are billed at $____________ each.
11. BYLINE & PORTFOLIO
Unless agreed otherwise, the Client owns the copy on payment and the writer may reference the project as a sample without revealing confidential details.
12. KILL FEE
If the Client cancels mid-project, a kill fee of ____________% of the total, plus payment for work delivered, is due.
SIGNATURES
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Client: ______________________ Date: __________
Creator: ____________________ Date: __________This Work-for-Hire Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Creator"), a Copywriter. Together they are the "Parties".
The Creator will produce finished written copy in the agreed word count and format as described here: ____________. This is the "Work" whose rights are assigned under this Agreement.
On full payment, the Creator assigns to the Client all rights in the Work. This is a work-for-hire; the Client owns it outright. Note the copyright assigning to the client on payment, and whether the writer may cite the work as a sample that apply to a Copywriter.
The fee is $____________. Payment terms: 50% to reserve the slot and 50% on delivery of the first full draft. Invoices are due within ____________ days. Late payments may pause work and accrue interest at ____________% per month.
The Client may use the Work without crediting the Creator. The Creator may still list the project as a sample unless the Client asks otherwise in writing.
The Creator warrants the Work is original and does not knowingly infringe anyone's rights, taking into account the copyright assigning to the client on payment, and whether the writer may cite the work as a sample relevant to a Copywriter.
Either Party may end this Agreement with ____________ days' written notice. On termination, work delivered to date is invoiced and the kill fee applies if cancelled mid-draft, and the Client pays for all work completed to that point.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
The fee covers up to ____________ words on the agreed brief. Added pages or a changed brief are quoted separately.
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions on the agreed scope. Extra rounds are billed at $____________ each.
Unless agreed otherwise, the Client owns the copy on payment and the writer may reference the project as a sample without revealing confidential details.
If the Client cancels mid-project, a kill fee of ____________% of the total, plus payment for work delivered, is due.
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Transfer ownership of the finished written copy in the agreed word count and format only on full payment — never before the money clears.
A Copywriter lives on a portfolio, so keep the right to show the work as a sample unless the client pays to remove it.
Confirm the finished written copy in the agreed word count and format is original, taking account of the copyright assigning to the client on payment, and whether the writer may cite the work as a sample that apply to copywriters.
When the client must own the finished written copy in the agreed word count and format outright. If you would rather keep the rights and grant use, license it instead.
On payment the client owns the work fully, though a Copywriter can still negotiate a credit or the right to show it.
Yes. Once you and your client sign it — including with an electronic signature — this Work-for-Hire Agreement is a binding contract under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS and similar laws in most countries.
Point them back to the scope. Extra work such as extra rounds of edits or added pages beyond the quoted word count is quoted separately — that is exactly what the written terms are for.
Yes. Paste it into Signr, drop the signature fields on, and send a link. Your client signs from any device with no account, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Paste the template into Signr, drop signature fields on, and send. Your client signs from any device, no account needed, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
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