A freelancer's rights

[baffico]

Hi everyone. I undertook a freelance assignment some time ago with the understanding that I would complete a written report by a certain date and make further revisions according to feedback from several parties at the client's firm.

The experience has been awful. The feedback has been tardy and after one round of revision, another person requested changes that contradict my original instructions. Worst of all, they moronically circulated an earlier version of the report. Someone at the firm has done their own editing to this early version and asked me to make a litany of revisions that I *already* made on the correct version.

I asked that they reconcile the different versions that have resulted from their error, before I finalize the report. I received a curt reply, informing that it was entirely my responsibility to deliver a finished report to their expectations.

I'm fed up to the point that I don't even care about the money. The contract was quite rudimentary and only stipulates that I will work at a certain hourly rate to complete the report, with the understanding that it should not exceed X hours. I haven't seen a cent yet and have a good mind to ask for immediate payment in full, otherwise I will consider the report my intellectual property and do with it as I please. Would I be within my rights to do this?

[JAherbert]

No, it already belongs to the employer, whether they have paid you yet or not. I'd suck it up, accept that some morons have messed you around and get on with it, get it done and move on. Am sure it will be one of many such experiences.......... my 2 cents

[ontheroad]

From personnal experience, they own you... they can also change whatever they want to your report, you have no say whatsoever. Plus, sometimes it can take up to three months to be paid.