Protecting your site

I'm doing a site for a business and uploading it to a one of my webspaces, and then giving then the url for them to check from time to time.

However I'm quite paranoid about them just saving the pages and then not paying me.

How do other people approach this and protect themselves.

I work for a real estate firm, and before we take on a client we have them sign an agreement that they will obtain us as a client if we find a suitable placement for their new building.

I would do the same thing with your client, they should sign an agreement that none of your work may be used without payment being made.

The agreement is a very good way to go, it could help you protect the "look and feel" of your website. How frequently do they check your progress, and why? If it is only to preview and request changes to the layout, you can consider posting only screenshots for them to view, or non-active pages. Or, if you use php, you can "bury" a good portion of your scripts and css using sessions. I think a blend of those techniques might help if you cannot meet your client face to face.


HTH

If your pages are dynamically generated and will change during the use of the site (eg, through user input, admin section, etc), then they can save the html all they want b/c the site won't function w/o the backing server-side scripts.

A user agreement is always nice too. You can write a project contract that outlines what you're going to do, how much it costs, and that they'll pay at the end.

I'm not sure but you might be able to find a legal document at a local stationary store. I know they usually sell many other legal documents.

There is a legal document, that on creation of Images and Documents, as soon as they are made, they are legally yours. No-one elses. Full stop.

Of course a user agreement is still more legally binding

Standard IP laws should apply. It depends where in the world you are.

I know that here in Australia, as soon as you create it, it's your Intellectual Property.
Place a copyright statement on the page, and make them aware of IP laws.

If they don't pay, then create a site (or use yours) that looks/feels the same without paying you, they have violated IP law, and you don't need a user agreement, any warning, or any other legal document.

A small statement along the lines of "This work in progress is the Intellectual Property of xxx, copyright 2004, all rights reserved."
No need creating intimidating legal documents when existing laws already cover it.

I do two things in this situation sometime depending on how I feel lol.

Firstly, I make SURE my copyright info is at the bottom. Then you can disable the right click feature. (yes I know this can be gotten around). Then encrypt your source code. encrypt it and then encrypt your encrypted code lol. That way when they view it they still can't read it. Be VERY sure that the copyright info is encrypted especially. If they upload it, they can't change that info if they can't read it and you're ok then.

OR:

You can create a custom frames page that you use for testing. Load their demo site within your frame that has all of your company info on it and such. Of course let them know that it won't appear that way once the project is at fruition and you've been paid. encrypt and right click protect this as well. Hope I've helped you some.