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Ankit Beniwal
Ankit Beniwal

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I want my credit!

Short post: What are your views about developers getting credit for what they develop in spite of (mainly web based) application owned by the business bosses?

Update: The company didn't provide me any sort of resource or mentor as I expected from an ordinary internship. Later, I decided to leave that exploititive environment. Do tell me your opinion about it.

Long post: So some days back, i filled an application for free internship as a web dev. And after some discussion, casual interview by the owner of the startup firm, they sent me an offer letter with so many terms and conditions mentioned in it. With some strength I read it all. wufff!!!

And voila! I found some points which intrigued me to discuss with him. I asked him straight forwardly that whatever project I work on, I should get the credit. He said and I quote, "Definitely! You can mention it in your resume".

So I replied him that I just don't wanna add a project in my resume but also want to back it up with some sort of credit. I suggested him to add a Developer Credit Page on the web app or just a small section. And I don't think that it should be any problem as they will have the copyright and the payment of the work. I just asked for the Credit.

:( And He said No.

What is your opinion in this regard? Should we developers not get the credit while working under some company/agency for what we develop?

For a Fresher like me, Experience matters more than money. And, experience which can be truly proved or showcased to others is of highest value. But if this is what corporate is. Then I don't think that I am a good fit for this culture.

Top comments (10)

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wobsoriano profile image
Robert

I guess that's what references are for. If you really want your name on any part of a website, find a client and do their website for free. There you have it.

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ankitbeniwal profile image
Ankit Beniwal

Mmm... I asked them for it. A letter of acknowledgement sort of thing. Thanks anyways.

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emmanguiang profile image
emmanguiang

I experienced this actually. I was the main dev on one our projects, literally written 90% of the codes. They filed a patent with their names on it, but mine was not included, I even helped them with the technicalities on the documents.

Well, I guess that's how things work. I agreed to the contract that states that whatever thing I created inside the company will be their property.

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ankitbeniwal profile image
Ankit Beniwal

That's where I objected, the contract. They are now making some amendments to it.

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cyberhck profile image
Nishchal Gautam

They are paying your salary, whatever you do, belongs to them, you want some real apps to have your name? Write an app by yourself, deploy, put it on github

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ankitbeniwal profile image
Ankit Beniwal

Dude! It's a free internship as I wrote in the post.

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cyberhck profile image
Nishchal Gautam

Then they're paying indirectly, to train you, as well as they're loosing velocity, reference is credit,

Or, like others said, volunteer to make websites for clients (try NGOs like redcross)

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ankitbeniwal profile image
Ankit Beniwal

They are not even paying indirectly. They are not providing me any mentor or any kind of resource. They just asked me to work on the project on my own. It's basically like free labour. They are trying to exploit the freshers. That's what I feel.

And for that, I left them.

Also, Thanks for the advice of volunteer work.

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cyberhck profile image
Nishchal Gautam

You did awesome by leaving,

What's the point of doing internship if you can't learn.

And yes, try to see if you can do projects for organization who does good to community, and that'll give you double satisfaction :)

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ankitbeniwal profile image
Ankit Beniwal

Exactly my point. it's nice to see that support.

Cheers.