eCommerce Tycoon

**jawandarajbir** · 11-10-2009, 04:12 AM

Few months back, one of friend wanted some websites developed for his friends. I developed 2 sites for him and he came up with 3rd project. As I have worked previously, I didn't ask for initial deposit of 3rd website.

On completion of 3rd website, he asked me to replace my website's link and put his name (on all 3 websites) to show visitors that he himself developed website.

I told him that I can remove my link as he is owner of websites but I cannot replace it with his name bcz I have worked hard to build my websites portfolio and charged him minimal cost (being my friend).

There is no written contract signed for any of 3 websites. Now he is refusing to pay for 3rd website's development and hosting unless I give website development credits to him.
He is also demanding source code for all 3 websites so that he can get it modified from someone to put his name (as the developer of the sites).

Now some legal questions arising for me are:
1. If I developed and hosted website without a written contract (and the client has paid for it), can I reject handing over the code unless client agrees to formal terms and conditions of external use of code?

2. If the client is refusing to pay for website development and hosting (after the site is live), can legally I put Google Ads on the live website bring some revenue to cover development cost?

3. Can I refuse to continue hosting the 2 previous websites on my server if he is not paying for 3rd website upon completion of the 3rd website?

4. Can I offer him the credits for all 3 websites for extra charges? How much can I charge for this?

Any help/suggestion with above questions is much appreciated.

Lesson I learnt: Always do a contract with a client no matter how simple the project is.

**johniman7** · 11-10-2009, 03:09 PM

This is a tough situation. In short, I wouldn't give up credit, although I'm not sure how I would work it. If i were in that situation, chances are I would resort to swearing and yelling. Regardless of whether there was a contract or not, he should have mentioned ahead of time that he wanted credit.

See you can't always play by the rules because they don't. He is trying to extort you out of something unfairly by refusing to for the third site. If you have control of the site (its hosted with you) then I would just leave the first two sites up with your credit and not work with this person anymore. If they continue to harass you, threaten to take the first sites down. The important part though, is if they keep harassing you, make sure you come through on your threat and take the first two sites down.

By what you have said about this person, they obviously aren't professional by any means, and I doubt they would take any legal action. Chances are within a few days they would be apologizing and asking you to please put their site back and telling you that you can have the credit you deserve. It's unfortunate that this is how it has to be sometimes, but what can you do.

If you think there is a risk of legal action, you may want to consult a lawyer, however from what you said I think that is unlikely.