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ARTICLE · 24 SEPTEMBER 2024

Seven Strategies For Managing Intellectual Property Risks In Software Development

Travers Smith LLP
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To manage intellectual property (IP) risks in software development, businesses should ensure clear ownership of software rights, monitor use of licensed-in assets like open-source software, establish generative AI policies, conduct regular IP audits, and consider local laws

United KingdomIntellectual Property
Louisa Chambers
Louisa Chambers
James Longster
James Longster
Dan Reavill
Dan Reavill
Helen Reddish
Helen Reddish
Author LinkedIn connections

How do you know that your business owns or has the relevant rights to the intellectual property in its software, particularly where the rights are not registrable? What can your business do to manage the risk of its developed software infringing third party intellectual property rights? This briefing looks at key strategies to help manage intellectual property risks in software development.

There are various intellectual property rights that are relevant to software development, principally patents (protecting the functionality of the software rather than the specific code), copyright, database rights and trade secrets. Trade marks and domain names are also relevant to marketing software products, but are beyond the scope of this briefing.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

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