Businesses of all sizes depend on their website to reach customers worldwide with visibility on the internet more important than ever, the website has become an invaluable tool for the majority of the UKÂs businesses. Many business owners are not aware of significant dangers when commissioning the creation of a website by a third party firm.
An issue that has landed businesses in trouble in the past is in regards to the ownership of copyright of their own website. If ownership rights are not dealt with prior to the signing of a commissioning contract, the completed product  whether that be a website or piece of software  will belong to the creator of the work, rather than the business which paid for it!
The ideal time to discuss copyright ownership rights in the process of hiring a web or software developer is before any contracts have been agreed.
Smaller businesses rarely have the resources to go over contracts with a fine tooth-comb, so they are more commonly caught out by intellectual property pitfalls than larger corporate firms.
use of IP protection can make or break a firm. By properly protecting a website, piece of software or any other piece of intellectual property, you can create valuable assets. However, failing to take the necessary precautions can leave you vulnerable to competitors and the creators of commissioned work.
