I had been asked a question the other day that made me think, and I thought I'd pose it here: What are we as writers, artists, programmers, etc, within our rights to ask for when asked to join a project? If someone offers me a spot on their team as a writer (since that's what I do), what's to stop them from ultimately taking what I've given them without compensation or credit? Would it be appropriate to ask for some sort of contract? I understand a lot of projects being worked on here may not be entirely "Established" (i.e. high paid gaming studios, but indie developers), but I think the concern is a valid one; who wants to contribute wonderful work to a project only to see it published a year later, making headlines, with their name or face no where in the mix?

Philly wrote:

>What are we ... within our rights to ask for when asked to join a project?

You have a right to ask for anything and everything. "I want a Jaguar and a house in Malibu to work on that project." That doesn't mean anybody will grant your request. But you are "within your rights" to ask for ANYTHING. Care to rephrase that question?

>what's to stop them from ultimately taking what I've given them without compensation or credit?

Nothing, if there's no collaboration agreement. I assume you're talking about working on a hobbyist or amateur project as opposed to a professional project. If the project's producer doesn't have a collaboration agreement, you have no guarantees from him whatsoever.

http://www.sloperama.com/advice/article58.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson28.htm