Work Ownership Clarity
Ownership follows payment. Rights follow approval.
GigBig defines when and how intellectual property and usage rights transfer between freelancers and clients through a structured, escrow-linked ownership framework.
Core ownership principle
- Work remains freelancer IP until full payment release
- Ownership transfers after escrow-backed approval and payout
- Unpaid work does not grant usage rights
No payment means no ownership transfer.
Before approval
- Clients may review submitted work
- Usage, publication, or distribution is not permitted
- Files are treated as evaluation copies
- IP rights remain with the creator
Submission does not equal ownership transfer.
After approval and payment
- Deliverables are approved
- Escrow funds are released
- Payment is successfully processed
Ownership transfers according to documented service scope and terms.
Scope of ownership
- Final approved deliverables
- Defined formats listed in milestone scope
- Usage rights specified in service description
- Transfer limitations where applicable
Anything outside funded scope is not automatically transferred.
During disputes
- Ownership remains with freelancer
- Clients may not commercially use contested work
- Escrow remains secured until resolution
- Transfer occurs only after final outcome
Unresolved work does not grant rights.
What this policy does not cover
- Work shared outside the platform
- Automatic source-file transfer unless in scope
- Rights to rejected or unpaid submissions
- Override of local IP laws
Policy applies within platform workflow boundaries.
Freelancer responsibilities
- Define what is included in deliverables
- Specify whether source files are included
- Avoid unrestricted delivery before payment
- Keep communication documented
Clarity reduces post-project disputes.
Why this matters
- Intellectual property protection
- Financial leverage security
- Clear usage boundaries
- Reduced legal ambiguity
- Professional project closure
Ownership is structured, not assumed.