Central Maine Power client contract says they own all "work product" including my analysis spreadsheets and rate calculations. This feels like they're trying to take my methodology. What's standard?
Intellectual property ownership issues
Arizona Public Service tried similar language. I keep ownership of my templates and methods, they get the final report and findings. That's fair.
Southern California Edison wants ownership of everything. I negotiate that they get audit results, I keep proprietary tools and methodologies. Most clients accept this.
Mississippi Power client wanted same thing. I explained that my spreadsheets contain formulas for other clients too. They backed down to just wanting the final report.
Evergy clients in Missouri are reasonable about IP. They want audit findings and supporting documentation, but understand that audit tools are my business assets.
Distinguish between deliverable work product (audit findings, reports, client-specific calculations) and proprietary methodology (templates, formulas, processes). Clients should own the former, you retain the latter.