Three Things You Have to Do Before You Can Acquire Licensing for the Software You Just Developed

Software developers create new and valuable software content every day. In fact, with as much new software that is created, it is no surprise that there are some ground rules one needs to follow prior to releasing the software. Software licensing is a big part of that, but before you even get that far, you have to do all of the following. You can either do it yourself or hire a business attorney to do the work for you. 

Check for Similarity of Products

The biggest problem a lot of software developers have is with originality. Your product cannot be too much like an existing product. To wade through thousands of software programs then view and test-run these products, and then rule them out so that it is clear that your own, recently-developed product is nothing like the others is extremely time-consuming. Still, it is better than putting a product out and then being served with a lawsuit because your product is a duplicate of someone else's product. 

Check for Product Names

You would not believe the number of lawsuits business attorneys see that have resulted from duplicate or near-duplicate product naming rights. Before you release new software, you have to name the product. Before you name your product, you have to be absolutely certain that no other product has the same name. Not only does this help avoid confusion with consumers, but it also helps avoid lawsuits with other companies who have named their products the same thing or something similar.

Make Sure That You Have Resolved Compatibility Issues and That Operating Systems Companies Approve

Operating systems frequently have problems with new software because of compatibility issues. Additionally, you have to get permission from all of the major operating systems production companies to create software that is compatible with their operating systems. If you do not, and you market your software with their emblems on your packaging, you could be sued. Those companies have proprietary rights, and those rights extend to giving permission to use any and all wording, emblems, and programming codes to develop software that works with their operating systems. 

Despite the fact that it may take months to get permission and your software may be ready for sale now, you have to wait. If you have hired a business lawyer, the lawyer can help speed up the process by talking directly to the companies to get verbal permission on record. Then you would not have to wait for permission on paper.