Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Colorado

software distribution

I am a contract program and have written some special processing (in 2003) that is imbedded in a very large mainframe system. A new company has bought this company and wants to distribute this same software worldwide. Is there anything I can do to protect this intellectual property or to block the distribution? The original company did not make me sign any software ownership agreements.


Asked on 4/17/08, 8:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patrick Tracy Patrick J. Tracy, Esq, P.E.,

Re: software distribution

The question turns on whether you were an employee or independent contractor. As an employee all work is assumed to be a work-for-hire unless there is an agreement to the contrary.

As an independent contractor, under copyright you own the program. If you filed for copyright protection at the Library of Congress you have a stronger case than just having common law copyright rights. Without further information I cannot advise you further. Therefore, I suggest you seek local counsel who can assist you.

Good Luck!

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Answered on 4/17/08, 9:06 am


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