Here’s a free template from the Master Planners at TemplateKit.com
The Web Storyboard project template is used to create a more structured and detailed storyboard layout. This is usually a more technical layout than a granular breakdown of the project or website’s functionality. This usually should be a more visual arrangement of the web site’s navigational structure.
View the Web Project Storyboard Template
Add comment August 31st, 2007
Document Length: 5 Pages
Retain more designer & developer ownership in your project.
This is the standard Web Site Development Contract we use when working on a project. It favors the Designer or Developer and helps them retain the rights to their work using very friendly language. Edit as needed to create your starting contract for your business. Each client may require modifications to the standard contract which you will need to deal with on a per-project basis.
There is an alternate version of this contract which is more client-centered (however with minimal ownership rights for the developer). - See Web Development Contract (Developer Centered)
Alternate documents are those which may be used instead of this document depending on your situation. Alternate documents may be better suited for different size projects, more specialized projects, variations on rights, etc.
Add comment August 31st, 2007
Document Length: 5 Pages
This is a variation of the standard Web Site Development Contract. Edit as needed to create your starting contract for your business. Each client may require modifications to the standard contract which you will need to deal with on a per-project basis.
This version was created by common request from many developers wanting a comprehensive contract, without the clauses their clients found objectionable (typically regarding copyright ownership). The client-centered version gives the client basically rights to everything done (except to your preexisting material). Normally we do not recommend this, as it will prevent the developer from leveraging work created on a project for future use in other projects. It is only included by common request from our users. It is your responsibility to understand the implications of giving up your rights to work created for a client which, by default, would normally be retained by the developer. We recommend that you compare this variation with the standard version above and consult your own attorney if you have questions.
Click here to view:
Add comment August 31st, 2007
Document Length: 9 Pages
If you are in another country operating under English law (such as Scotland, New Zealand, etc.) you can use the Australia and UK contracts as a starting point. You can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars having a solicitor review and make minor edits to our contracts tailored specifically to your country. Using our contracts as starting points could cost as much as 10 times less for a review and minor edits than asking a solicitor to create a custom contract.
Edit as needed to create your starting contract for your business. Each client may require modifications to the standard contract which you will need to deal with on a per-project basis. You may use the various contracts and agreements as starting points for use in other countries. You will need to have your own attorney review and edit the contracts for use in other countries and states where the standard pre-written versions will not be applicable. If you find an attorney who wants to redo everything from scratch their own way, consider getting a second opinion, unless you are in a country where US, English or Canadian law do not apply.
The original English Law UK Web Development Contract has been edited by a solicitor in Australia to conform to English/Australia law. There are a few minor differences between the UK and Australia versions (mostly relating to references to the Privacy Act, country location information and tax and banking rate information).
Due to the differences between US and English/UK Law this version is much longer. For small projects see the Australian/UK short form.
Click here to view:
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The Web Site Maintenance Agreement is an agreement template that is used when taking over the maintenance of an existing project or web site or when you are separating the development agreement from the maintenance agreement. Use this to specify exactly what the client is getting in terms of maintenance, and also to disclaim what you will not do and what you are not responsible for.
Click here for more information on Web Site Maintenance Agreements
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Coupon Code - SPECIAL54532
Ian will probably get mad for our posting this - since it does not expire! Enjoy!
Add comment August 31st, 2007
It’s not in the contract…
(Free therapy for Developers & Designers! )
3 comments August 14th, 2007
The CD-ROM Development Contract is for use when creating CD-ROM, DVD or other mass produced presentations. Many web developers are now putting their clients PowerPoint, Web Site, Flash, Director and other Slideshow presentations on marketing CD-ROM’s.
Add comment August 11th, 2007
Get more developer ownership of project code!This is the standard Web Site Development Contract. Edit as needed to create your starting contract for your business. Each client may require modifications to the standard contract which you will need to deal with on a per-project basis.
There is an alternate version of this contract which is more client-centered, but reduces IP issues down to minimal ownership rights for the developer.
Add comment August 11th, 2007
Standard Marketing ROI Tracking
We have built into our CD-ROM presentations the unique ability to track how often your cards are played, how many times they are installed to users computers, how many contact forms are sent from your card and how often each web link is clicked on your card to take visitors to your web site.
Your card tracking can even differentiate between presentations run from the original CD-ROM and those installed to your users computers.
If you want to track your presentations by distribution groups we can easily track that too. For example, you put your presentation on 10,000 cards. Each group of 1000 cards can be tagged with a tracking number. This gives you the ability to distribute each group in a different city, mailing or trade show and track the effectiveness of each group.
You can login to our card tracking form and see monthly reports of how your cards are used.
For more information on using our CD-ROM and Flash Tracking Systems - please call us at 425-482-7941 to speak with a salesperson.
Add comment August 11th, 2007
What is a trademark?
Today’s post covers trademarks. Obviously.
Trademarks start with that little TM symbol that all of your clients seem to place on every bright idea they have whether they actually have bothered to file a trademark or not. We often find it is the later - but tend to not open our mouths too much concerning client’s legal matters.
When a Trademark is all grown up (filed & approved) - it gets to sport that little “R” symbol - meaning that the mark is registered with the USPTO.
The ® symbol means that a particular mark is actually registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Marks followed by a TM or SM symbol - then althought the indiviudal or company may be using the mark - it is probably not yet registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
.. or.. as we like to say - they are probably “faking it”.
So, in short, a trademark is merely: Any “mark” consisting of words, graphics, icons, shading, coloring, stipling, symbols or other items that identify goods or services from a company or individual. Further, a mark distinguishes the company or individual from other companies or individuals.
Trademark law deals with the registration, recognition and enforcement of these intelluctal property rights. If you have a registered trademark - then no one else can use that mark in conjunction with any good or service so it doesn’t appear to use your goodwill or make it look like you endorse, support or otherwise have anything to do with the mark. When a company or individual is displaying your mark or a confusingly simular mark in conjunction with a particlular good or service - they are attempting to trade on your “goodwill” for their own benefit.
This is why trademark law exists. To stop such non-sense.
What is a Mark?
Marks can be either a “Word Mark” - in which you are trademarking a particular word, phrase or combination of words and styles. Note - this is the more difficulat trademark to get. You just cannot submnit a word you are using or even one you made up - or else it may be ruled [insert]/
Getting a trademark on the actual mark or logo or stylistic experssion of the idea is easier.
Having registered a dozen or more trademarks for ourselves and clients, here’s our thoughts on the process.
- Your trademark will take around 8 months if you get it 100% right the first time and haven;t caught a trademark exanimer on a bad day.
- You will probably get an “Office Action” you have to respond to; essentially these are correctionsto you application, classification of goods and services and so forth.
- We find it kind of strange - that the logo or wordmark of the USPTO is not, in fact trademarked - interesting. {Not even the entire spelled out word or the mark itself.} I actually asked several IP Lawyers and them mumbled something about it is “probably” simply descriptive and unable to qualify. At $450/hour - I REALLY hate hearing the word “probably” from laywers.
What is a Service Mark?
Think “slogan”. Technically, it is a mark used to identify and set apart a Company’s services from other comapnies or individuals. “Start your next project half-finished.” is our service mark for TemplateKit.com.
What is Trade Dress?
Trade Dress is another aspect of trademark protection where a particular aspect of a good or service is recognizable in the marketplace. Think of it as the “total package”.
Examples may include:
- That unique red shade Coke uses.
- The shape of Microsoft’s X-Box.
- The layout and arrangement of a particular restaraunt
- The color scheme Starbucks Coffee uses
- The shape of a sports drink bottle
What can I possible trademark?
Words
Marks (Designs w/ Words)
Slogans
Trade Dress
Packaging
Audio Identifiers or Sounds (often called an audible mark)
Scents & Smells (Oh, yes…you can do this.)
What are Trademark rights?
An owner of a trademark/service mark has the right to use that trademark/service mark and to prevent others from benefiting from the trademark/service mark’s good reputation and recognition in the marketplace.
How do I get started?
Go to http://www.uspto.gov and first search to see if your mark is already registered or owned. Just because you think you came up with the idea doesn’t mean someone didn’t beat you to it first.
After that you have two choices.
1) File the Trademark application yourself.
2) Use a lawyer, service or other vendor to do it for you.
Filing trademarks is not terrible hard once you get the hang of it. However, it can be an expenseive learning curve and time consuming if you get even the slighest thing wrong on your application. The average amount of time it takes to get a registered trademark seems to be 1.5 years. We’ve gotten them in 6 months start to finish - however - that was after a few dozen of more applications for our various marks.
That’s it for tonight, good luck and .. apparently .. good night.
Add comment August 11th, 2007
