Should designer own copyright?

[Hell Puppy]

At WORST, a custom site is going to be a joint copyright. My text, my specs, my color selections, my content used to build it, there's no way a designer can claim to own the copyright. If the hiring agreement isn't clear, they MIGHT be able to pull off claiming joint ownership.

In every case where I've hired a contractor to do anything, whether it's code, design or even shooting photos, it's a "work made for hire" agreement. It is my understanding that in that case, I own it all, no different than if they were a full time employee.