Dear Mary:

It all depends on how one writes the contract with the developer.

Kind Regards

Roger Wulff

Mary Maher, Editor, Hand to Hand wrote:
>
> If an outside contractor is hired to develop software for specific use within
> a museum exhibit or program, who typically holds ownership of the software -
> the museum or the software developer?
>
> If the museum ends up owning it, do they have rights/access to change it or
> "tune it up" if necessary?
>
> If the museum owns it and the software becomes very popular and other museums
> or visitors want to buy it for their use, does the developer have any rights
> to claim part of the sale profits?
>
> If the developer retains ownership, can he/she sell the same program to other
> museums/clients even if it was designed for the original museum's specific
> use?
>
> What kids of things are covered in a typical contract between an outside
> software developer and a museum?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Mary Maher
> Editor
> Hand to Hand
> A quarterly publication of the Association of Youth Museums