Hi Paul ---

>We've run into problems with this more than once. You write a prelim spec and then they take it to Joe Smoe and have him develop on the side at a cut rate.

I've run into that, too, but if they pay for the analysis and deliverables it's their choice how to accomplish the task IMHO. So I've learned not to take it personally.

>One way to avoid this problem is to make sure you copyright all of your specs not just the app. I have a Word template called Spec that has a copyright notice at the bottom of every page. At the beginning of the doc is a notice that this is a copyrighted document and the client has no rights to use the document for any development without my permission. I've only had one guy push it and I had a lawyer friend send a certified letter stating our intent to litigate. Cost me a six pack to my friend but took care of the prob.
>

I'm no attorney but it would seem to me that if the client pays for the analysis, he owns the deliverables. If he doesn't then you do.

>My signs that a customer is going to be a bear:
>
>1 "I don't pay until the project is completely done"

No way do I work under those conditions.

>7 "What kind of status reports to I get"

I don't mind this one. Status reports often are your friend :-)

>10.1 "We have a committee that will help with the design work"

Nothing wrong with that one either as long as your time with their committee is billable.

>10.2 "I know exactly what my employees need - you don't need to interview them"

Run screaming :-)