IP Ownership

Clear policies on intellectual property ownership for client projects and reusable systems.

Ownership Structure

Our IP ownership model is designed to be clear, fair, and beneficial for both clients and our development team. Here's how it works:

What Clients Own (100%)

Upon project completion and final payment, clients receive full, exclusive ownership of:

  • Product-specific code — All code written specifically for your product
  • Business logic — The unique rules and processes that define your application
  • User interface designs — Custom UI components and layouts created for your product
  • Branding assets — Any logos, colors, or brand elements integrated into the product
  • Documentation — Technical and user documentation specific to your product
  • Data and content — All data, content, and user-generated material

What We Retain (Non-exclusive)

SM Web Systems retains non-exclusive rights to:

  • Generic utility functions — Broadly applicable helper code (e.g., date formatting, validation)
  • Infrastructure patterns — General architecture patterns and setup configurations
  • Development tooling — Build scripts, testing utilities, and deployment pipelines
  • Educational materials — Anonymized case studies and teaching materials

Note: We never retain anything that would allow us to recreate your product or compete with you.

How This Benefits You

  • Full control — Modify, sell, or license your product however you choose
  • No vendor lock-in — Take your codebase to any other developer or team
  • Investment protection — Your product is an asset you own completely
  • Lower costs — Reusable systems help us work efficiently and pass savings to you

Documentation and Agreements

All IP arrangements are documented in writing before work begins. Our standard agreement includes:

  • Clear definition of what constitutes product-specific vs. reusable code
  • Transfer timeline tied to payment milestones
  • Warranties regarding originality and third-party rights
  • Dispute resolution procedures

Open Source Components

When we use open source libraries in your project:

  • We document all open source dependencies and their licenses
  • We ensure compatibility with your commercial use
  • We avoid copyleft licenses unless you explicitly approve
  • We provide guidance on compliance obligations

Questions?

If you have questions about our IP ownership policy or need clarification for your specific situation, please reach out. We're happy to discuss and customize arrangements when needed.

Last updated: January 2026