How To Protect The Intellectual Property Of Your Software

Intellectual property can refer to many of the unique assets you use in your business, including logos, designs, artwork, inventions, website content, and more.

Software can be classified as intellectual property too, and can therefore be legally protected.

If your company develops software, you need to ensure it has protection to prevent others from copying it and stealing your ideas. 

Let’s take a look at the different ways in which you can protect the intellectual property of your software.

Use Nondisclosure Agreements

When you’re ready to protect your software, you should ideally start off by contacting a reputable firm (see Heer Law, as an example) which has a wealth of experience in areas like copyright, trademark services and intellectual property litigation.

You should also consider getting a lawyer to help draw up a nondisclosure agreement to ensure IP protection from the get-go.

The last thing you want is for new software or ideas concerned with the software to fall into the hands of your competitors. Often, maintaining secrecy about your software development is crucial.

You should get all developers, partners, and any other relevant personnel to sign a confidentiality contract to make sure everyone involved with the product plays a part in keeping its development secret.

If anyone who’s bound by the agreement leaks any information, he or she will be legally liable.

Copyright Your Software

Like any other creative work, the copyright for a new software exists as soon as the product is created.

However, by registering copyright for the software with the United States copyright office, you ensure your product has legal recognition.

That means, should someone steal or copy your software or its features, it will be much easier to boost legal enforcement to prevent your product from being sold or copied by your competitors.

When you register software with copyright in the United States, which you can do more easily with the help of an experienced law firm, the copyright status is typically upheld in other countries. But you should also look into specific copyright laws for any country in which your business is in operation.

Quite simply, when you get copyright protection for your software, no one can duplicate your software for gain without first seeking your permission.

Use Trademarks

Trademarks are helpful in enabling your customers to distinguish your products from others in the marketplace.

 By trademarking things like your software name and logo, as well as the words and phrases used in the promotion of your software, you not only prevent competitors from copying your branding. You also gain brand awareness quicker.

When potential customers see the trademark symbol on your software, they feel as though your brand is reputable and trustworthy. In turn, that equates to more conversions and sales.

In the United States, you can register your trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office, but you should get help from an experienced law firm to ensure the application process runs smoothly.

When you start using trademarks, you not only protect your software but also the branding that goes with it.

Patent Your Software

Does your software include unique features or designs that separate it from the competition? If so, you could gain a competitive advantage by protecting your software with a patent.

When you get a patent, you ensure others cannot make or distribute your software unless you grant permission.

Again, you should seek advice from a professional lawyer to help you with filing a patent. There are various patent processes and related requirements and conditions, so it helps to have a legal expert on board to ensure the application process runs smoothly.