Glossary

What is Retention of title?

A contract term saying goods (or rights) remain yours until you are paid in full.

A retention of title clause keeps ownership of goods with the supplier until the invoice is paid. For creative and digital work, the equivalent is to transfer copyright or intellectual property only on full payment, licensing it for use until then.

It strengthens your position if a client does not pay — they are using something they do not own.

Example

"Copyright in all deliverables transfers to the client on receipt of full payment."

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