Intellectual Property Framework

Client Ownership & Work-for-Hire

At That Is A Q, intellectual property rights for all custom deliverables are assigned to the client upon final payment. We operate under a strict work-for-hire model, ensuring that your brand, code, designs, and content remain exclusively yours.

• Full Assignment: We execute an IP Assignment Agreement at project kickoff.
• Source Code & Assets: Delivered in client-controlled environments (GitHub, Figma, AWS, etc.).
• Moral Rights: Waived where legally permissible to ensure unrestricted client usage.

Proprietary Tools & Reusable Components

While custom work belongs to the client, That Is A Q retains ownership of pre-existing frameworks, internal libraries, design systems, and development tooling used to accelerate delivery. These components are licensed to clients for perpetual, non-exclusive use within the scope of the project.

Open Source & Third-Party Licensing

We responsibly integrate open-source software (OSS) and third-party APIs into every project. All dependencies are documented, version-locked, and compliant with their respective licenses (MIT, Apache 2.0, GPL, etc.).

Clients receive a Third-Party License Report alongside project delivery, detailing:

• Package names, versions, and license types
• Copyleft obligations (if applicable)
• Commercial usage rights and restrictions
• Maintenance and security patch recommendations

We strictly avoid GPL-viral components in commercial client deliverables unless explicitly requested and approved by legal counsel.

Trademarks & Brand Protection

That Is A Q actively protects its trademarks, service marks, and brand assets. Simultaneously, we implement rigorous brand safety protocols for our clients.

• Client Branding: All logos, color palettes, typography, and voice guidelines are treated as confidential and used strictly within the project scope.
• Portfolio Usage: We request written consent before featuring client work in our case studies, marketing materials, or award submissions.
• Domain & Metadata: We ensure all deployed assets include proper copyright notices, sitemap protocols, and DMCA compliance markers.

Licensing & Compliance

Our standard engagement contracts include clear IP clauses aligned with international copyright law and digital asset standards. We recommend clients consult independent legal counsel for enterprise-level IP strategy, but our framework provides a transparent baseline.