What is the Works Made for Hire (Works for Hire) doctrine?
Answer
Works made for hire also known as works for hire doctrine is defined as”(1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment.” Alternatively, (2) if it was commissioned with a signed agreement specifying it as a works made for hire.” Under the works made for hire various creative projects and even instructional aids made for “the purpose of systematic instructional activities” can be considered works made for hire. Artifacts created as works made for hire would therefore be the considered the intellectual property of the organization or individual who commissioned the work.