Intellectual Property Ownership Rules

Clear transfer rules tied to approval and payment.

GigBig follows a structured IP ownership framework to protect clients and freelancers through clear, milestone-based transfer rules and documented agreements.

General ownership principle
  • Freelancer owns work before approval and payment
  • Client ownership transfers after milestone approval and full payment
  • Transfer is conditional on financial settlement
In This Section
Identity verification requirementsNDA & confidentiality policiesIntellectual property ownership rulesProhibited services listCode of conductConflict of interest policy

What is considered intellectual property

  • Design files and branding assets
  • Logos and illustrations
  • Written content and marketing materials
  • Source code and UI/UX assets
  • Custom frameworks and creative concepts

Any original project work is subject to IP rules.

Ownership in Single Service

  • Expert delivers within predefined scope
  • IP transfers after milestone approval and escrow release
  • Rights remain with freelancer before approval

Approval finalizes transfer.

Ownership in Team Service

  • Multiple specialists may contribute
  • Final consolidated deliverable transfers after payment approval
  • Contributors do not retain ownership of final approved assets

Transfer applies to completed output.

Rights transferred to client

  • Full usage rights
  • Commercial rights
  • Modification rights
  • Distribution rights
  • Reproduction rights

Scope of rights may depend on project agreement.

Rights freelancers retain

  • Underlying pre-existing tools, templates, or frameworks
  • Reusable knowledge and methodologies
  • Portfolio display rights unless restricted by NDA

Pre-existing assets are not automatically transferred.

Portfolio usage

  • Freelancers may showcase completed work
  • Freelancers may reference non-confidential outcomes
  • Project-specific NDA may prohibit public display
  • Client-specific restrictions may limit portfolio use

Confidential projects override showcase rights.

Work before payment approval

  • Client does not own IP before approval
  • Files should not be commercially used pre-payment
  • Usage without payment violates policy

Ownership transfers only after settlement.

Custom IP agreements

  • Additional written agreements may be executed
  • Enterprise projects may include expanded clauses
  • Default GigBig rule applies unless documented otherwise

What is not allowed

  • Reusing client-owned final deliverables for other clients
  • Selling approved work to third parties
  • Claiming ownership after payment release
  • Public use of confidential assets without consent

Violations may lead to suspension.

IP protection during disputes

  • Ownership transfer is paused during dispute
  • Escrow funds remain secured
  • Final transfer depends on dispute resolution outcome

Financial approval governs IP transfer rights.