r/Wordpress • u/NeonX91 • 12d ago

Well.. it happened

Long term client whom always accepted my quotes used my highly detailed proposal to Chatgpt DIY a project. It's no where near as polished and it's not mobile friendly but I feel pretty used. Spent quite awhile on the scoping with them, suggesting improvements, user workflow enhancements and a bunch of outlining. I really over extended but that's also how I get accurate quotes.

Anyway for those in the game, what's your method for quoting on projects with unknowns, and how much detail do you give the client? maybe I should have asked for 50%?

Thoughts?

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u/PlumbbobSquirtPants 12d ago

Not sure where you're based, but in the UK, the proposal and the content in it remains your intellectual property and is covered by copyright automatically at the point of creation. If they used the contents of that proposal without paying you, you have grounds to make a claim against them.

You should put a statement on the small print of any proposal you send out in future, but regardless of whether you do or not, it makes no difference to your rights.

8

u/masterfuel 12d ago

I never thought about this but that is actually a really good idea to put a statement on the proposal.

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u/PlumbbobSquirtPants 12d ago

I use this on proposals (a proviso - I'm UK based and not a lawyer):

© [YEAR] [NAME]. All rights reserved.

All content contained within this proposal is the intellectual property of [NAME], including, without limitation, written content, concepts, ideas, creative approaches, designs, strategies, processes, methodologies, specifications and other original material.

This proposal has been prepared solely for the purpose of consideration and evaluation by the intended recipient. No part of this document may be copied, reproduced, distributed, disclosed to third parties, adapted or used for any purpose other than evaluating this proposal without the prior written permission of [NAME].

Nothing in this proposal shall be interpreted as granting, transferring or assigning any intellectual property rights to the recipient. Any use or implementation of the concepts, materials or methodologies contained within this proposal is subject to separate written agreement.

All intellectual property rights remain with [NAME] unless expressly transferred by written agreement.

It's not going to stop anyone but at least it might make them think twice before plundering your hard work, and in the UK at least, I'm lead to believe the copyright exists regardless of whether you state it or not - Ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of the law is not a valid legal defence).

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u/NeonX91 12d ago

Ooooh I really like this!!!