Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Florida

I am interviewing Editors for my book manuscript. I had two meetings with one Editor and she looked an one chapter of my book in order to prepare an estimate of her services. Yesterday I let her know that I have decided to hire another editor for this project and she sent me an invoice! She wants to bill me for the time we met and her edit of the one chapter (note that I didn't ask her to edit it, just look at it so she could get an idea of what would need to be done). No money has changed hands, no agreements signed. As far as I was concerned, these meetings were for her to "sell" me on her services. Do I have to pay?


Asked on 10/07/09, 8:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

Without an agreement to pay, generally no. However, she may sue under a theory of quantum meruit or unjust enrichment. Basically, under these theories, she could complain that she should be paid for her services in all fairness, or you have benefited from her services without paying for them.

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Answered on 10/08/09, 8:03 am


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