forhire

For hire is a phrase used to indicate that a person or entity is available to be engaged to perform work or provide services in exchange for compensation. In everyday usage, it appears in employment and freelance contexts when someone advertises themselves or a service as open to contracting, such as musicians, consultants, crafters, or agencies that are “for hire” or “available for hire.” The term does not specify a particular contract type; hiring arrangements may involve independent contractors, employees, or other arrangements, and terms vary by jurisdiction and contract.

In copyright and creative-law contexts, “work for hire” (work made for hire) has a distinct legal meaning. Under the United States Copyright Act, a work created by an employee within the scope of employment, or a specially ordered or commissioned work, may be owned by the hiring party if the contract states it is a work for hire and the work falls within enumerated categories. Ownership and licensing consequences are determined by that status rather than by who physically created the work.

In practice, “for hire” signals availability for negotiated terms and does not set a fixed rate or schedule. It is commonly used by freelancers, consultants, performers, and service providers to indicate they are open to proposals, projects, or short-term engagements.