[AccessD] OT: Abducted by Aliens Scenario

Jennifer Gross jengross at gte.net
Thu Jun 19 12:54:53 CDT 2008


Hi Rocky,

Thanks for this.  The issue was actually brought be me by a client - how
would they maintain continuity if I suffered severe illness or injury.  The
issue of copyright comes up in my mind when trying to handle this because I
had a client who had the MDB files, severed their relationship with me and
then tried to sell the code for a substantial amount.  Enough that I got
attorneys involved, fought it and won.  

Basically my way of handling things is the same as yours (except for the
computer manager).  I am concerned that in developing this 'emergency plan'
for my client I will inadvertently be giving them some sort of rights to the
code, as my previous client asserted they had because I was providing them
backup disks of the MDBs.  This particular client that wants an emergency
plan has a system in place that others in their industry have already
approached me to adapt the system for their organization.  It has a viable
market that I have not yet tapped.  I know that this is a contractual issue
that will have to be negotiated and incorporated into 'the plan'.

Jennifer

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Rocky Smolin at
Beach Access Software
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:36 AM
To: 'Access Developers discussion and problem solving'
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT: Abducted by Aliens Scenario

Short answer - nothing. 

If I die my clients, who all have mdbs, will have to find another Access
developer.  What I have done is try to make my code as clear and commented
as possible for whoever takes over.  Otherwise they're on their own.
There's nothing in there that's really so valuable that it represents an
asset to my vast estate or something that my lucky heirs could turn into
cash.  Most of the good stuff I got from the list and the ADH anyway. :)

I do have a commercial product which is distributed in an mde.  I should
probably escrow the code but I haven't.  It's probably overkill. 

In the event that I kick, there is a guy I have asked to come in and manage
my computer - notify people, do whatever support he thinks is needed, while
Pundit figures out what to do with the product.  

Frankly, when I die, so, I think, does E-Z-MRP.  

So I don't worry about it now. And when I'm dead I won't worry about it
either.


Rocky Smolin
Beach Access Software
858-259-4334
www.e-z-mrp.com
www.bchacc.com
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jennifer Gross
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:18 AM
To: AccessD List
Subject: [AccessD] OT: Abducted by Aliens Scenario

Good Morning Everyone,

For all of my clients I am their single point of contact for MS Access
database development, modifications, complex queries, etc.  I suspect that a
lot of you are as well.  I am interested to know what contractual and
physical processes as emergency steps that you have in place to provide a
modicum of continuity to the client should you be abducted by aliens or hit
by a bus and no longer able to fulfill your role for your clients.  

How are you handling intellectual property issues?  Do you install MDB or
MDE to protect your copyright?  In my thinking, if I were to suddenly go to
the great beyond my children should inherit my copyrights as some of the
systems that are single installs for my clients have the potentiality of
being marketable software packages.  In addition, each stand alone system
has intellectual property value in and of itself.  My newer contracts
specify that I am only providing a license to the client to run the code.
Older contracts are silent on this issue, which I have learned through legal
battle means that I own the copyright.  Also, aside from the copyright
issues do you provide your clients with a list of individuals who could step
in if you are out of commission, a means to access backup files, developer
password information and any other issues that you have considered should
aliens carry you off in the night.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts,

Jennifer


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