Can I Revert Code Back For Non Payment?

I wonder if I should/could add this to sp4ceman's dev-score.com site?
 
shauntir said:
Well, there is a mutual understanding that the code only belongs to the client upon full payment.

I will not remove the code yet. I will send through a registered mail detailing our business "agreements" and if I do not receive payment, removal of the code for the time not paid will be enforced.

In that way, the client has notice of this and I would not be doing it unilaterally. I know he could technically take a backup, though, this way, I would have legal standing. Also, when we met earlier this year, he verbally agreed that he would pay irrespective of his client paying him or not. Does that hold any ground?

Should he not agree to the terms of the registered mail, I think I may try the small claims court for the maximum amount possible.


On a side note, I have my now "new" agreements with clients that expresses that code only belongs to the client upon full payment. I just reverted some code for a client due to non payment since that is legal.

With this guy, its too complex without things in writing...
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You still haven't learnt your lesson:) Stop assuming "mutual understanding". The only "mutual understanding" of any value is what is in the written contract. If it's not there, then it's not mutually understood at all. ;)

Good that this in your new contracts. You might have to write the others off as a learning experience
 
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There was a case that involved a Website developer in the Western Cape who withhold the site from the client due to a dispute.
The court ruled against the developer.
I don't know if the details of your case could be similar.
To be safe, I would rather consult with a lawyer before taking any action.
 
Indeed, I sometimes need to be smacked over the head to learn my lesson :erm:

Also just emailed the guy and have gotten a response saying that he will in fact provide payment if his client refuses to pay. So that is good news since I have it in writing (email)! This would then give me legal standing since it is now in writing...I think.

*Edit*

Yes, I will only take action once I have a paper trail and consult a lawyer.
 
I would probably revert it and never do business with him again.

Technically, because there is no contact and no payments have been made, the code is still yours. You can do with it what you like.

That being said, if it is on his system, remoting into it to remove your code could qualify as unlawful intrusion. If you are hosting it, then I'd shut the entire server down.
 
Revert the code, I did that to a big company once for none payment many years back.
 
Ancalagon said:
I would probably revert it and never do business with him again.

Technically, because there is no contact and no payments have been made, the code is still yours. You can do with it what you like.

That being said, if it is on his system, remoting into it to remove your code could qualify as unlawful intrusion. If you are hosting it, then I'd shut the entire server down.
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Yep, it's on his client's server so it would probably be unlawful. I actually remote'd in yesterday and deleted the old backup files that I use to rollback quickly. Thankfully, I didn't delete the actual site files and revert back. Gotta say, I don't know what I would do without mybb members lol.
 
shauntir said:
Yep, it's on his client's server so it would probably be unlawful. I actually remote'd in yesterday and deleted the old backup files that I use to rollback quickly. Thankfully, I didn't delete the actual site files and revert back. Gotta say, I don't know what I would do without mybb members lol.
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Update the code with a cripple feature, or a massive banner showing none payment.
 
semaphore said:
Update the code with a cripple feature, or a massive banner showing none payment.
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I was worried about non-payment ages ago and did this. I had a large red banner that would popup in the program 2 months later. Luckily I got paid and removed it before launch - but I always wondered what the phone call from the irate non-paying client would be like.

@OP, firstly, we've all made this mistake so don't be hard on yourself. Second, remove the code ASAP. If you don't have any agreement then it is still yours. You can always just put it back if they do pay.
 
The problem with "business" in South Africa is that they take money from Peter to pay Paul.

These types of businesses need to realize that if you have a client requiring x, and you outsource the work because it's not in your speciality but you do it to please your client, you need to front the cash to pay for the outsourced work before you even touch your client. Even get that client to pay a deposit etc

However, try tell that to business owners. I would have dumped him as a client way before the point it already reached after the first request of further payment.

It's not worth your time or energy to continue with a person like this.

It's up to you if you want to revert the changes you made up and till the point of payment for (some of) the work done. Personally I wouldn't bother
 
roguemat said:
@OP, firstly, we've all made this mistake so don't be hard on yourself. Second, remove the code ASAP. If you don't have any agreement then it is still yours. You can always just put it back if they do pay.
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I forgot about this. They haven't paid for the code yet, so it's technically still yours to do with as you please :)
 
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