who owns the website?

[MsHOS]

Me and x each paid half of 50% deposit to a web development company. X decides they no longer want to continue - for various reasons. I have offered to pay back x's 25% in instalments as that is all i can afford down to goodwill mainly. X isn't happy and is demanding the full 25%. until i have paid the total amount can she have any say on the development of the site?
does x have any ownership of it?
Just wondering what general consenus on this is.....

[sem4u]

Did you have an contract in place between you before you went to the web development company?

[MsHOS]

no...it was set up between me and a friend (x). nothing in writing. no contracts signed. all i have is an email stating x no longer wanted to continue. i wanted to continue with the site as saw no reason to end it and have offered to pay x back in instalments.

[StoutFiles]

nothing in writing. no contracts signed.

I would use this to your advantage and get all your money back. The fact that there's already a squabble over money leads me to believe this transaction won't be beneficial to you.

[edited by: StoutFiles at 12:27 pm (utc) on Sep. 4, 2008]

[erothchild]

Very important... Who owns the domain name? If you own it, 'x' will have to work on your terms. if 'x' owns it, i might look at finding a way to offer their interest in the site to another investor, many people here keep an eye out for opportunity even if we arent actively seeking it..

Get a contract made up and signed before you pay a dime.

i cannot tell you how many relationships between friends and even family members i have seen get completely trashned when money gets involved. i live by the rule that my agreements get needlessly more and more detailed as the people involved in a venture become closer to me. If it's a friend or closer, be sure to detail everything that could possibly happen and then what the process is afterward.