Legal Question in Technology Law in Georgia

Ownership of HTML code on web page

We had paid a company to create a web site for us and have since transferred that site to another ISP. However, the company is now claiming that the META tags on our site are copyrighted and that we have to remove them or we will be sued. I was under the impression that first -- we purchased the site and all of the code that went into it so we are the owners of even the META tags; and second -- it isn't possible to copyright META tags. Does this company have a case against us or are they just trying to cause problems since we no longer use them?


Asked on 2/26/08, 2:14 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Lee Kim Tucker Arensberg, P.C.

Re: Ownership of HTML code on web page

As with most things, you can formulate an argument for both sides. To the extent that the "META TAG" content is original content, it may be copyrightable. If it is copyrightable subject matter, then it is recommended that one obtain a "transfer" of copyright interest (i.e., an agreement signed by the web design company and ours).

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Answered on 2/26/08, 2:24 pm
Daniel Pepper Pepper Law Group, LLC

Re: Ownership of HTML code on web page

The first step is to determine what the terms of your website development agreement say. If the totality of the website was a "work made for hire," than it would appear you would maintain ownership of the META tags.

However, I would need to review these terms in their entirety in order to give you a more comprehensive answer. Feel free to contact my office to discuss it further.

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Answered on 2/26/08, 2:34 pm


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