Software/IP
Software contracts should prove who owns the product and what can be done with it.
For software companies, contracts are not administrative attachments. They support the product, sales, investment, audits and enterprise customer relationships.
What we review
IP assignments, licences, code rights, developer and contractor agreements, open-source components, maintenance, support and liability limits. The goal is for it to be clear, at any moment, who owns the product and what can be done with it.
IP assignment
Paying a developer does not automatically transfer the rights to the code. Rights should be assigned or licensed through clear clauses adapted to the product and commercial model; without them, the company may hold fewer rights than it assumes.
SaaS and enterprise customers
SaaS terms should match the product, the processed data, the SLA, security, termination and usage rights. Enterprise customers frequently run an audit before signing, and the documents need to hold up to that review.
Open-source and the chain of rights
Open-source components can create obligations depending on the licence and how they are used. A review of the chain of rights, including open-source dependencies, avoids surprises in diligence or in the relationship with large customers.
Before financing or sale
Cleaning the chain of rights before diligence is more efficient and cheaper than fixing gaps under transaction pressure. We recommend reviewing contracts and IP rights before a financing round or a sale.
FAQ
Does payment to a developer automatically transfer rights?
No. Rights should be assigned or licensed through clear clauses adapted to the product and commercial model.
Can open-source create risk?
It can, depending on the licence and how the component is used. A review is useful before enterprise sales or investment.
What should a software development contract contain?
At least the scope and deliverables, the rights to the code and results, maintenance and support, confidentiality, liability and termination conditions.
How do I verify rights before an investment?
Through a review of developer contracts, IP assignments, licences and open-source components, to confirm the company actually owns the product.