Posted by Neil Badger on March 04, 2009 at 10:44:08:
In Reply to: Getting Paid posted by Stephen Auerbach on March 03, 2009 at 08:19:11:
Steve,
It makes a big difference if they are currently using the Comet system. If they are not and you are just developing something you don't have much bargaining power.
However if they are using Comet for anything and there is no contract, that implies that there was no pre-agreement as to ownership of software. Without a prior agreement then the intellectual property rights belong with the writer. If they have shot their bolt and told you to stick it before getting an adequate replacement they are in trouble. As they are not going to pay you fror the work then you can remove your intellectual property and the only way to ensure that is to take back the plug. Tell them they don't actually own it that it is just their to validate the legality of the software being used ( blur the boundary between Comet & your stuff.)
If you have access to their site 9 physical or remote) there is a world of possibilities, some probably illegal.
I once wrote a program to display a screen that looked exactly the same as the comet startup screen this program ran automatically and after a certain date it displayed the modifioed startup screen, so it appeared as if there password was invalid. The program required a completely different range of paswords to let them thru, they would ring me each day for that days password, it didn't take them long to pay me. Needless th erelationship was a little sour after that. They were staying with Comet just getting rid of me so they needed the system.
Wiping the Comet passwords slows them down a bit.
Have any of your bigger customers got a debt collection person, they may be happy to write a few terse letters on your behalf. If you were in Australia I would be happy to recommend my brother-in law.
On the other hand, considering your years in the business you could just be extremely greatful that this is your first bad expeience. Probably depends on how much money is involved, but a few letters threatening legal action wont cost much and may get you something. Wouldn't Steve have access to that sort of person thru that internet package of his.
Neil BAdger
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