Hey everybody, I need some advice.
So about 6 months ago i designed a website for a friend and was paid although we had no contract. The website is the best i've done and i would like to keep it in my online portfolio for years to come.
Problem is, he just got out of the business he was in, thus no longer needing the website, and took it down. I still have the website saved on my computer. We are no longer friends. If i were to buy his old domain name and put the website back up could he sue me? What if i were to just change the name on the actual website and change the web address and change the content, but leave the same layout could i get in trouble for that.
My other option is to just host the site localy on my design site and put it as a "site i designed in the past". This would probley be the best option, but i don't think it looks as good to potential clients if the site is hosted on my design site.

I value your opnions on this matter and i look foward to hearing from you all.
Thanks-
Josh

Tricky area since there was no contract. Best option would be to place the site locally on your site, maybe even just a screen shot. I would also get in touch with your friend since (depending on who you ask) he would stiill own copyright to the design and so it would be best to ask his permission. I would not put the site back online live.

Actually, if you are in the US, and you designed the site, without assigning the copyright, it technically belongs to you and not him. Normally speaking it is better to get their consent, and he owns the copyright to the name of the business, etc, but he most likely forfeited that when he let the domain lapse.

Local is really a better option, as you don't want to manage another site for content, etc. And a screen shot is the best option in my opinion.

Why don't you just take a screenshot of the site you designed and put the screenshot to your portfolio? That would save you a lot of time and trouble, and besides, it's not your problem if you did a great design but they decide to terminate the website.

Originally Posted by legallink

Actually, if you are in the US, and you designed the site, without assigning the copyright, it technically belongs to you and not him.

I 2nd that. By copyright law you are the owner of anything you create from the moment it was created. Being that there is no contract, you really have nothing to worry about since there was nothing drawn out. I wouldn't go through the hassle of hosting it just to make you look good. Just throw it in your portfolio and call it a day.