Advice needed please - releasing 3D models to client...

[valley]

Hi,

Would really appreciate some advice: I've been involved in an on-going contract for the past 12 months with a very prestigious client, supplying illustrations for use in promotional / press campaigns. I was contracted to supply just 2D visualisations. However, as part of this process, I have been producing 3D computer models as the basis (underlay) of these images.

The client has now asked me to supply them with these 3D models. Naturally I'd be looking to charge a good rate for these. However my concern is that once the 3D data is released, all future work/revisions etc (which are a big part of this contract) could easily be given to another freelancer / in-house artist.

Any advice on the best way to play this? I'm keen to retain this client, but equally feel the need to protect myself. To be clear - the contract was only for the illustrations, they have no legal claim to the models.

thanks,

V.

[Qitsune]

There are more than 1 option regarding this, one would be to add a clause in your sales contract stipulating that you want to be offered first for any gig using these models. Another would be to price it so high that you will be happy whatever happen. And I'm not sure who you would feel about the last option which is to sell it for a reasonable price and make yourself so efficient and lovable that they will WANT to use you again.

[valley]

Maybe I'm already efficient and loveable :)

Thanks for the advice. Pretty much what I'd been thinking. It's a fine line to walk between keeping the client happy and not getting screwed...

thanks,

V.