While there are several ways to legally protect your SaaS software, copyright law is the most popular and maybe the easiest way to protect it. Every SaaS executive needs to know a few things about SaaS software and copyright law, so take a quick read of the following.

Can you obtain copyright protection for your GUI? 

• This is an important issue, and one that many vendors do not understand. As a general matter, obtaining copyright protection for source code is easy, but obtaining protection for GUIs is not that simple. Here is a great blog post on the ins and out of it. http://bit.ly/1HfQ1f9

What is the difference between Contract and Copyright Protection for Software?

• Contracts and Copyright are two totally different ways to legally protect your software. This post contains an explanation of the difference, and why you should use both methods to protect your software. http://bit.ly/1HfQcXZ

What is Fair Use?

• Fair use is a very important defense to copyright infringement (to prove that you are not infringing on someone’s copyright), and is a concept that is rarely understood. It in essence is a 4 part balancing of interests test. Keep in mind though that it can be subjective, so relying on it is not always the best way to go. http://bit.ly/1HfQj5I

Protecting your software really matters, as (sadly) I am starting to see a lot of copycat software programs out there. Remember that if you don’t take steps to protect your software today, it may leave your software product vulnerable to competitors using your software to create lookalikes and steal your customers. Yep, this is serious stuff!

Disclaimer:

This post is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not legal advice. You should hire an attorney if you need legal advice, which should be provided only after review of all relevant facts and applicable law.