# Whose a contractor's project records are

> 3 of 11 provisions we read give the project owner or the government rights in a contractor's project record, newest read 31 October 2026.

Sell General Contractor Data to AI · https://sellgeneralcontractordatatoai.com/datasets/gc-project-records-ownership/ · computed 2026-10-31

**Provisions that give the owner or government rights:** 3 of 11 provisions (11 texts read; 14 named).

## The answers, question by question

- **What the provision governs:** who first owns a work 3, how ownership of a work passes 2, the owner's access to the contractor's books and records 2, rights in data or technical data produced under the contract 2, shop drawings, submittals and specifications 1, changes to the work and the paperwork that records them 1
- **Who it leaves the record with:** sets the terms a transfer or change must meet 4, gives the owner or the government rights in it 3, leaves ownership with the contractor or author 2, makes the contractor keep records and produce them 2
- **What it says, in its own words:** stated 11

## Every provision

| Provision | What the provision governs | Who it leaves the record with | What it says, in its own words |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 U.S.C. 101 | who first owns a work | sets the terms a transfer or change must meet | a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or |
| 17 U.S.C. 201 | who first owns a work | leaves ownership with the contractor or author | unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by… |
| 17 U.S.C. 204 | how ownership of a work passes | sets the terms a transfer or change must meet | A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an… |
| CDPA 1988 s11 | who first owns a work | leaves ownership with the contractor or author | The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following… |
| CDPA 1988 s90 | how ownership of a work passes | sets the terms a transfer or change must meet | An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on… |
| FAR 4.703 | the owner's access to the contractor's books and records | makes the contractor keep records and produce them | 3 years after final payment; or |
| FAR 52.215-2 | the owner's access to the contractor's books and records | makes the contractor keep records and produce them | the Contractor shall make available the records relating to the work terminated until 3… |
| FAR 52.227-14 | rights in data or technical data produced under the contract | gives the owner or the government rights in it | The prior, express written permission of the Contracting Officer is required to assert… |
| FAR 52.227-17 | rights in data or technical data produced under the contract | gives the owner or the government rights in it | The Contractor shall not assert or authorize others to assert any claim to copyright… |
| FAR 52.236-21 | shop drawings, submittals and specifications | gives the owner or the government rights in it | The Government may duplicate, use, and disclose in any manner and for any purpose shop… |
| FAR 52.243-4 | changes to the work and the paperwork that records them | sets the terms a transfer or change must meet | the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment and modify the contract in… |

## The sentence each answer rests on (33)

- 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, What the provision governs: "a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or"
- 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, Who it leaves the record with: "if the parties expressly agree in a written instrument signed by them that the work shall be considered a"
- 17 U.S.C. 101, [Definitions](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101), read 2026-10-03, What it says, in its own words: "a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or"
- 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, What the provision governs: "Copyright in a work protected under this title vests initially in the author or authors of the work."
- 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the record with: "In the case of a work made for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author for purposes of this title"
- 17 U.S.C. 201, [Ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright."
- 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, What the provision governs: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing"
- 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the record with: "is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner's duly authorized agent."
- 17 U.S.C. 204, [Execution of transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owner's duly authorized agent."
- CDPA 1988 s11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, What the provision governs: "The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions."
- CDPA 1988 s11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the record with: "is made by an employee in the course of his employment, his employer is the first owner of any copyright in the work subject to any agreement to the contrary."
- CDPA 1988 s11, [First ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "The author of a work is the first owner of any copyright in it, subject to the following provisions."
- CDPA 1988 s90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, What the provision governs: "Copyright is transmissible by assignment, by testamentary disposition or by operation of law, as personal or moveable property."
- CDPA 1988 s90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the record with: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor."
- CDPA 1988 s90, [Assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "An assignment of copyright is not effective unless it is in writing signed by or on behalf of the assignor."
- FAR 4.703, [Contractor records retention, policy](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.703), read 2026-10-08, What the provision governs: "contractors shall make available records, which includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type"
- FAR 4.703, [Contractor records retention, policy](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.703), read 2026-10-08, Who it leaves the record with: "contractors shall make available records, which includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type"
- FAR 4.703, [Contractor records retention, policy](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.703), read 2026-10-08, What it says, in its own words: "3 years after final payment; or"
- FAR 52.215-2, [Audit and Records, Negotiation](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-2), read 2026-10-31, What the provision governs: "The Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative, shall have access to and the right to examine any of the Contractor’s directly pertinent records involving transactions related to this contract"
- FAR 52.215-2, [Audit and Records, Negotiation](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-2), read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the record with: "The Contractor shall make available at its office at all reasonable times the records, materials, and other evidence described in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this clause, for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract"
- FAR 52.215-2, [Audit and Records, Negotiation](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-2), read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words: "the Contractor shall make available the records relating to the work terminated until 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement"
- FAR 52.227-14, [Rights in Data, General](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-14), read 2026-10-28, What the provision governs: "Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause, the Government shall have unlimited rights in- (i) Data first produced in the performance of this contract;"
- FAR 52.227-14, [Rights in Data, General](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-14), read 2026-10-28, Who it leaves the record with: "the Government shall have unlimited rights in- (i) Data first produced in the performance of this contract;"
- FAR 52.227-14, [Rights in Data, General](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-14), read 2026-10-28, What it says, in its own words: "The prior, express written permission of the Contracting Officer is required to assert copyright in all other data first produced in the performance of this contract."
- FAR 52.227-17, [Rights in Data, Special Works](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-17), read 2026-10-31, What the provision governs: "Unlimited rights in all data delivered under this contract, and in all data first produced in the performance of this contract, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this clause."
- FAR 52.227-17, [Rights in Data, Special Works](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-17), read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the record with: "The right to limit assertion of copyright in data first produced in the performance of this contract, and to obtain assignment of copyright in that data"
- FAR 52.227-17, [Rights in Data, Special Works](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-17), read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words: "The Contractor shall not assert or authorize others to assert any claim to copyright subsisting in any data first produced in the performance of this contract without prior written permission of the Contracting Officer."
- FAR 52.236-21, [Specifications and Drawings for Construction](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.236-21), read 2026-09-11, What the provision governs: "Shop drawings means drawings, submitted to the Government by the Contractor, subcontractor, or any lower tier subcontractor pursuant to a construction contract"
- FAR 52.236-21, [Specifications and Drawings for Construction](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.236-21), read 2026-09-11, Who it leaves the record with: "The Government may duplicate, use, and disclose in any manner and for any purpose shop drawings delivered under this contract."
- FAR 52.236-21, [Specifications and Drawings for Construction](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.236-21), read 2026-09-11, What it says, in its own words: "The Government may duplicate, use, and disclose in any manner and for any purpose shop drawings delivered under this contract."
- FAR 52.243-4, [Changes](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.243-4), read 2026-10-31, What the provision governs: "by written order designated or indicated to be a change order, make changes in the work within the general scope of the contract"
- FAR 52.243-4, [Changes](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.243-4), read 2026-10-31, Who it leaves the record with: "The Contractor must assert its right to an adjustment under this clause within 30 days after (1) receipt of a written change order"
- FAR 52.243-4, [Changes](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.243-4), read 2026-10-31, What it says, in its own words: "the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment and modify the contract in writing."

## Read and set aside

- [AIA A201, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction (the AIA's own document page)](https://www.aiacontracts.com/contract-documents/25131-general-conditions-of-the-contract-for-construction): the AIA's own product page describes A201 and its use; it does not carry the contract's ownership or documents clauses, which sit behind purchase
- [ConsensusDocs 200, Standard Prime Construction Contract (the publisher's own page)](https://www.consensusdocs.org/contract/200/): ConsensusDocs' own product page describes the 200 contract; it does not carry the contract's ownership or documents clauses, which sit behind purchase

## Methodology

Each provision's own acquisition.gov's FAR and DFARS clauses, Title 17 and the CDPA, and the contract publishers' own pages were read through estate-fetch and stored whole (sha256 on every row). For every text, three questions were answered from its own words: what the provision governs, who it leaves the record with, what it says, in its own words. Every stated answer carries the sentence it rests on, checked against the stored text; 'not stated' means the text read does not address the question. A provision with several texts reads 'varies' where they disagree. 11 provisions, 11 texts.

## Sources

- [FAR 52.227-14, Rights in Data, General](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-14) (read)
- [FAR 52.227-17, Rights in Data, Special Works](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.227-17) (read)
- [FAR 52.215-2, Audit and Records, Negotiation](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.215-2) (read)
- [FAR 4.703, contractor records retention policy](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.703) (read)
- [FAR 52.236-21, Specifications and Drawings for Construction](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.236-21) (read)
- [FAR 52.243-4, Changes](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.243-4) (read)
- [DFARS 252.227-7013, Rights in Technical Data](https://www.acquisition.gov/dfars/252.227-7013-rights-technical-data%E2%80%94other-commercial-products-and-commercial-services.) (unread)
- [17 U.S.C. 101, definitions including 'work made for hire'](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/101) (read)
- [17 U.S.C. 201, ownership of copyright](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/201) (read)
- [17 U.S.C. 204, transfers of copyright ownership](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/204) (read)
- [CDPA 1988 s11, first ownership of copyright](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/11) (read)
- [CDPA 1988 s90, assignment and licences](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/48/section/90) (read)
- [AIA A201, General Conditions of the Contract for Construction (the AIA's own document page)](https://www.aiacontracts.com/contract-documents/25131-general-conditions-of-the-contract-for-construction) (not-terms)
- [ConsensusDocs 200, Standard Prime Construction Contract (the publisher's own page)](https://www.consensusdocs.org/contract/200/) (not-terms)

## Cite or embed

- 3 of 11 provisions we read give the project owner or the government rights in a contractor's project record, newest read 31 October 2026.
- What the provision governs, by provision: who first owns a work 3 of 11, rights in data or technical data produced under the contract 2 of 11, the owner's access to the contractor's books and records 2 of 11, how ownership of a work passes 2 of 11, changes to the work and the paperwork that records them 1 of 11, shop drawings, submittals and specifications 1 of 11 (11 provisions, read 31 October 2026).
- Who it leaves the record with, by provision: sets the terms a transfer or change must meet 4 of 11, gives the owner or the government rights in it 3 of 11, leaves ownership with the contractor or author 2 of 11, makes the contractor keep records and produce them 2 of 11 (11 provisions, read 31 October 2026).
- What it says, in its own words, by provision: stated 11 of 11 (11 provisions, read 31 October 2026).

Cite as: "Whose a contractor's project records are", updated 2026-10-31, https://sellgeneralcontractordatatoai.com/datasets/gc-project-records-ownership/.

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