Forum Moderators: not2easy
I need advice about a Flash movie I recently contracted. It's from an Indian provider with unusually low prices and although cooperative in the beginning it's been difficult getting the source files from them.
They originally provided just the .swf file, but they then told me that it was timed not to work after a few days, an unexpected surprise. They've also been accused of using other people's copyrighted work before, so I refused to pay them until I received the source.
I've finally got it, and looking at it I see many of the layer names are in German - rather unusual for an Indian firm whose English isn't perfect, never mind their German. I can find no similar free public files on popular Flash community sites.
It's time for me to send payment but it seems very likely this work is an edit of other people's work, possibly copyrighted and certainly not attributed.
Question is: Can I ethically use the file, and if not do I have the right to deny payment?
Many thanks for your help,
Cheers,
Jeremy
If your current written agreement doesn't make resolution of a reasonable dispute fairly clear cut, throw away the form as to future use.
As to the layers having German titles, for all I know, they have a valuable employee who prefers the climate in India over that in his hometown of Berlin.
Good luck to you
