a question about copyrighting artwork

[infernosnow]

Let's say I hire someone to do artwork for my game and pay them a set amount every week for their work. Does that mean the artwork then belongs to me? I mean, I would still credit them in the game, but I just need to know what freedoms I have with the artwork from that point. Can I copyright that artwork? Do I need to have anything in writing?

[Cota]

They retain ownership of the artwork unless they sign contracts saying otherwise. Always, get everything in writing.