The ability to upload your app to the App Store and Android Marketplace means app developers are constantly trying to think of innovations for users to enjoy. They can then be promoted through the app stores or on social media, escalating its exposure to thousands of people.
The problem is that it can sometimes be difficult to create such great apps such as Uber and YouTube, which are easily promoted through the app stores and social media. Therefore, it’s common to see duplicates of similar apps that are looking to take advantage of someone else’s brilliant idea.
If you have a great idea for an app you should understand what legal rights you have. Here are some top tips to help protect your app:
Proceed with a non-disclosure agreement
Having the ability to build a sufficient mobile app takes more than one person, and it’s probably going to need a team to get anywhere near the standard you want it to. But when you get other people involved with your app, what happens when it’s completed? Do you trust the workers to not steal your idea?In order for the app to be as good as possible, it’s important that you’re able to discuss the finer details with your team without compromise in fear that it’ll be used. The best way to avoid this is to get your team to sign a non-disclosure agreement drafted by your corporate solicitor. It clarifies what information will be shared and what won’t be. This will help confidentiality remain with your idea.
Get copyrights signed to yourself
Although you have a great idea, you might struggle to actually bring them to life as you don’t have the required skills to create the app. As the team you bring in will ‘build’ the app, they will own the rights to the app they build.For copyright purposes, make sure your own freelancers sign over the copyright to you before the app’s being built or gets put on the market. This can save legal issues in the future or the threat that your app could be copied by someone else.
Register your trademark
Browsing the app store, it’s likely that you’ll find similar apps. These will be bordering on breaching copyright infringement. If you have the copyright ownership of the app and you’re able to confirm that the defendant has access to the app's details to copy it, you’d have every right to put in a copyright claim.What might prove more difficult is trying to prove that the defendant did actually copy your app. This is why a trademark registration can protect your brand identity when it’s created. Usually the brand name and logo is the connection between you and your audience. By registering for a trademark, it can prevent others from using the same or similar branding.
Protect your app to get what you deserve
Your ideas are ones that should be appreciated and provide you with all the credit that you deserve. By putting the measures above in place, it makes it easier to know your ideas won’t be stolen from you and you’re protecting your creation in long term success.Thanks for reading along.
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