[AThrowAway99]

It's clear something like this has happened. Writing it down and getting valuable feedback here is helping me with my self doubt. I'm always questioning all kinds of things about myself surrounding this. I didn't create the end product in a vacuum, many people contributed to it and it feels weird to state my importance over others.

Looks like it will be court at this point. I'm more worried about my career and reputation now.

[testvox]

By the way, in the United States copyright is owned by the author of the work unless there is a written contract assigning it to someone else. The only real exception to this is an employee can assign copyright to their employer by mere verbal agreement. Since you were a contractor they don't have the copyright unless you actually have a written contract assigning it to them.

[AThrowAway99]

This is exactly the contract that has caused the issue. I asked for the agreed fee for my IP under the terms of the contract.