IP & IT • Software
Software registration & evidence package for code ownership.
We help tech teams formalize and document rights to software: who owns the code, how it was created,
what exactly is protected, and how to prove it in deals, disputes, partner negotiations or due diligence.
The output is a practical “proof pack”: clean chain of title + technical description + deposit/registry strategy (where relevant).
When this matters most
- Fundraising, M&A, investor due diligence (IP ownership check).
- Outsourcing / contractor-heavy development across countries.
- Licensing SaaS/API/SDK to enterprise clients and partners.
- Disputes: ex-founders, contractors, infringement, “who wrote what”.
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Deliverables
What you get (practical, DD-friendly)
“Software registration” is not just a form. It is a set of documents and evidence that helps you prove ownership,
structure rights, and reduce legal risk around the codebase.
Core output
IP evidence pack
Documents and artifacts that show who owns the software and on what basis.
- Inventory of IP assets: code, modules, repositories, docs, UI, brand elements.
- Chain-of-title map: founders, employees, contractors, contributors.
- Assignments / confirmations (as needed) to close ownership gaps.
- Evidence list (commits, access logs, invoices, acceptance acts, releases).
Best for: due diligence, investors, enterprise procurement.
Core output
Software description & scope
A clear description of what the software is and what is being protected.
- Functional description and modules overview (human-readable).
- Version & build identifiers, release history outline.
- Architecture / components outline (high level, non-sensitive).
- List of embedded third-party materials (open source / libraries).
Best for: contracts, registration filings, licensing scope.
Core output
Registration / deposit strategy
Select a reasonable path to fix priority and proof (jurisdiction-specific).
- Choose route: deposit/notarization, national registry (if applicable), or evidence timestamping.
- Prepare filing pack and supporting documents.
- Coordinate signatories and authority documents.
- Submission support and post-filing housekeeping checklist.
Best for: proof of authorship/date, corporate governance.
Risk control
Open-source & licensing hygiene
Reduce surprises from copyleft/usage restrictions and missing notices.
- Identify key OSS dependencies and their license types.
- Check for risky copyleft triggers (where relevant).
- Notice/attribution baseline and internal policy outline.
- Commercial licensing options mapping (if needed).
Best for: enterprise clients, marketplaces, compliance reviews.
Commercial layer
Licensing & commercialization docs
Agreements that turn software into revenue safely.
- SaaS / enterprise terms (MSA + SOW, if needed).
- API/SDK license terms and usage restrictions.
- Partner/distributor/referral agreements.
- IP clauses for clients and vendors (SLAs, liability, warranties).
Best for: scaling sales, partnerships, procurement.
Structure
Ownership structuring in a group
If you have a holding/opco model, we align IP with your structure.
- Holding/opco licensing model (internal IP license).
- Founder IP contributions and capitalization options.
- IP routing rules for new developments.
- DD-ready narrative for investors and partners.
Best for: relocation, risk separation, fundraising.
Process
How we work (structured and fast)
We start with a short intake, then build evidence and documents around real development history and your commercialization model.
Step 1 — Intake & IP perimeter
- What software you have (products, modules, repos, versions).
- Who built it (employees/contractors/founders, countries, timelines).
- Where evidence lives (Git, Jira, invoices, acceptance acts, access lists).
- How you monetize (SaaS, enterprise, licensing, API, marketplace).
If you are preparing for investors/M&A, we tailor the output to a typical DD checklist.
Step 2 — Fix ownership & assemble proof
Ownership gaps
Assignments, confirmations, work-for-hire clauses, acceptance documents.
Evidence set
Commit history, releases, access control, invoices, delivery proof.
Software scope
Module description, versioning, third-party components list.
Next use
Contracts, licensing, investor DD, procurement, enforcement readiness.
Related: Corporate structuring and
Compliance (if your clients require it).
FAQ
Common questions
Software rights and “registration” practices differ by jurisdiction, but the core logic is universal: evidence + chain of title.
Is software registration mandatory to own the code?
Usually, ownership arises from authorship and contracts (employment/contractor terms and assignments). Registration/deposit is often used to strengthen evidence (date/priority/scope) and simplify disputes or due diligence.
Can contractors keep rights to parts of the code?
Yes, if the contract does not clearly transfer IP (or if signatures/acceptance documents are missing). We help close gaps with assignments and a clean evidence set.
We use open-source libraries — is it a problem?
Not by itself. The risk is in license conditions (especially copyleft) and missing notices/attributions. We map dependencies and propose a reasonable compliance baseline aligned with your product model.
Can IP be owned by a holding company and licensed to the operating company?
Often yes. It can help with risk separation and group structuring, but it must reflect real operations, tax and substance requirements. We build the internal license model and supporting narrative for investors and counterparties.
What do you need from us to start?
Access to basic information: repositories list, key developers (employees/contractors), existing contracts, and your commercialization plan. We then propose a scope with first deliverables and a timeline.
Need an IP evidence pack for your software?
Send a short note: what product you have, where the code is stored, who developed it (employees/contractors),
and whether you are preparing for investors, enterprise clients, or licensing. We will propose a clear scope and first steps.
If you already have contracts, we can audit them and turn them into a clean “template system” for scaling.
Good fit for this service:
- Startups preparing for fundraising or M&A.
- Teams with contractor-based development across countries.
- SaaS / API / SDK products selling to enterprise clients.
- Projects needing enforceable proof of ownership and scope.
Practical output over theory: clear ownership, documented history, and a package that survives due diligence.