Work products are collections of notes and materials associated with a final product, which can be protected by law and belong to creators or employers. The laws vary between nations and contracts can replace legal standards. It is important to review contracts carefully and seek legal advice if necessary.
A work product is a collection of notes and other supplementary material associated with a final end product. This term is used in several different senses with important legal meanings. Some types of work products are protected by law and belong solely to their creators, while others may not be, and may belong to employers or be subject to subpoena in a courtroom environment. When people embark on projects, they consult the law to find out who owns which parts of the project may be important.
In the sense of producing work for an employer, the employee’s work product generally belongs to the employer. Someone developing a new business process for their company would have to deliver not just the final product, but the documentation developed along the way. The company may choose to use this information in a variety of ways and may make changes to the final product based on personal preference and in response to changing needs.
When someone works as an independent contractor, the law is different. The work product can be part of a proprietary process and that person just needs to deliver the final product as requested. Documentation, including raw files, notes, etc., belongs to the independent contractor. A contract can specify delivery of the work product; in this case, this material is also sent to the employer.
By law, the work product includes documents that attorneys generate while meeting with clients, developing trial strategies, and so on. This material is proprietary because it may include confidential information as well as plans and strategies for conducting a test. When the other side makes subpoena requests as part of the discovery process, the work product is not subject to subpoena and people can choose to retain it. In some situations, documentation produced by someone such as a private investigator who conducts investigations for the employer is subject to subpoena, and attorneys need to be careful in handling this material.
Work product laws can vary between nations, and it is important to review them carefully to ensure they are fully understood. Contracts can also replace legal standards. People embarking on professional relationships should always read their contracts for information and may request clarification or contract amendments if they have concerns about certain aspects of the contract. It can be helpful to have a lawyer review major contracts for hidden surprises.
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