If you’ve spent time developing software, you know that much work goes into creating original, functional, and polished code. You might not realize, however, that your code is also a form of intellectual property—and as such, it is eligible for copyright protection. This article will discuss why copyrighting your software code is important and how you can do it.
Why Copyright Your Software Code?
There are a few reasons why you might want to consider copyrighting your software code. First and foremost, copyrighting your code can prevent others from stealing or copying it without your permission. This can be important for monetary and reputational reasons—if someone copies your code and passes it off as their own, they could make money from it or damage your reputation if the copied code is buggy or doesn’t work correctly.
In addition, copyrighting your software code can give you some legal recourse if someone does copy it without your permission. If you discover someone has stolen your code, you can send them a cease-and-desist letter asking them to stop using it. If they don’t comply, you could take them to court. Of course, going to court is usually a last resort—it’s often more effective (and less costly) to have a lawyer send a cease-and-desist letter on your behalf.
How to Copyright Your Software Code
Now that you know why copyrighting your software code is a good idea, it’s time to learn more about how to do it.
Consult legal professionals
If you want to copyright your software code, consulting with a legal professional specializing in intellectual property law is essential. Experienced IP law firms can help you register your code with the Copyright Office and draft a copyright notice to protect your work. They can also help you enforce your copyright if someone steals or copies your code without permission.
When choosing a legal professional to help you copyright your software code, it is essential to research and find a firm with experience in intellectual property law. The United States Copyright Office website has a searchable database of registered attorneys, which can be an excellent place to start.
Once you have a list of potential firms, you can begin narrowing it down by reading reviews and comparing rates. It is crucial to find a firm that you feel comfortable working with and that has a reputation for being knowledgeable and effective in intellectual property law.
Register your copyright
Another thing you need to do is register your copyright with the United States Copyright Office. You’ll need to submit a completed application form and a non-returnable copy of your software code. You can find more information about the registration process on the US Copyright Office website.
Once you’ve registered your copyright, you should include a copyright notice in each software code file. This notice should include the following information:
- The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word “Copyright”;
- The year of first publication;
- The name of the copyright owner; and
- The statement “All rights reserved.”
An example of an appropriate notice would be “Copyright © 2018 John Doe. All rights reserved.”
You should also include a similar notice in any documentation accompanying your software code. This will help to make it clear to potential users that the code is protected by copyright.
Moreover, you should also include a copy of your copyright registration certificate in any software code files you distribute. This will make it easier for others to verify that your work is protected by copyright law.
Add DRM
It would also help if you considered adding DRM (Digital Rights Management) tools to your software code. These tools can help to prevent people from copying or stealing the code without your permission. You can find more information about DRM tools and how to use them on the US Copyright Office website.
If you want to add DRM to your software code, you can use a DRM toolkit to help you do it. These can vary in terms of the features they offer, so choosing one that best meets your needs is essential. Some things you may want to consider when selecting a DRM toolkit include the following:
- The level of security it provides
- The types of devices it supports
- The level of flexibility it offers; and
- The level of customer support available.
Once you’ve chosen a DRM toolkit, you’ll need to register for an account with the toolkit provider and download their software. You can then begin encrypting your code files with the DRM tools. Follow the toolkit provider’s instructions carefully to protect your code.
Know your copyright benefits
Finally, remember that registering your copyright is not required by law. However, it does offer some significant benefits—namely, evidence that you are the rightful owner of the copyrighted material and the ability to collect statutory damages and attorneys’ fees if someone infringes on your copyright.
Registering your copyright is essential in protecting your software code from theft or unauthorized copying. These steps can help ensure that your work is appropriately protected under copyright law.
