Do portfolio rights in a contract mean a contractor still owns my work?

Who owns the work created by a contractor?

Ownership depends on whether your contract includes a Copyright Assignment.

If there is a Copyright Assignment, your business owns the work. The agency does not retain ownership just because they display it.

If there is no assignment, the contractor may still own the copyright by default.

What are portfolio rights?

Portfolio rights are usually a limited license. They allow the contractor to show completed work for marketing or promotional purposes.

This permission typically allows display only. It does not allow reuse, resale, or control over the work.

Portfolio rights can exist even when ownership has been transferred, if the contract clearly allows them. The key is whether the agreement grants limited publicity rights and sets conditions on how or when the work can be shown.

What to do next

• Review your contract for a Copyright Assignment.
• Check for any portfolio or publicity clauses.
• Confirm any limits on display or timing.
• Clarify future agreements before work begins.

What to consider in your specific situation

Whether portfolio use affects ownership may depend on:

• Whether a copyright assignment was included.
• How portfolio or publicity rights are worded.
• Whether the use goes beyond simple display.
• Whether confidential or unreleased work is shown.
• Whether attribution or timing restrictions apply.
• Your brand or competitive concerns.

Understanding these details can help you determine whether the agency's use is permitted—or a problem.

Since every situation is different, consider getting tailored information through Rocket Copilot, a Legal Pro, or a contract review so you can confirm ownership and control how your work is displayed.