Rights in software are not determined only when a product is completed. Records should be built throughout development to show contributions, ownership, and the basis for using each component.
Distinguish authorship from ownership
People who directly create source code should be recorded separately from the party holding economic rights. Employment, contractor, and handover records should align with the way work was actually assigned.
Track third-party components
Libraries, datasets, fonts, and integrated documentation need a recorded source and clear licence terms. This inventory should be updated for each release.
Review checklist
- Maintain a contributor list and scope of work.
- Retain contracts, handover records, and version history.
- Record the source and licence for third-party components.
- Assign responsibility for approving each release.