This is a common issue encountered when hiring contractors for any type of creative work. A work for hire agreement is likely what you heard about, and that agreement assigns the intellectual property rights to the employer. Read more about how to manage relationships with contractors to ensure that intellectual property goes to the party intended. I found a website that is no longer published on the web. I have taken it and modified it a lot.
Websites are just like a book or any other publication.
Please read the Fair Use lesson in the redFox Schoolhouse, which explains what sort of use of another's material is allowed. In this case, it sounds like you have created what is called a derivative work. This means you have created new, copyright-protectable material that incorporates an earlier copyright as well. The earlier copyright holder is the only one who can authorize the creation of derivative works, so you will need their permission to use your new site. Privacy Statement .