Subj : Re: Protecting your code To : comp.programming From : Gerry Quinn Date : Tue Aug 02 2005 01:41 pm In article , albalmer@att.net says... > On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 13:26:30 +0100, Gerry Quinn > wrote: > >As for securing your idea and code - the code is copyright as is your > >released executable version. > > A word of warning. In the US, and I believe all countries which signed > the Berne Convention, the code is copyrighted, all right, but it's the > *programmer* who holds the copyright, not the person who hired him. > This is true unless the programmer is a bona fide employee, which is > clearly not the case here. Good point - programmer-centric thinking caused me to overlook this! As you say, a contract is essential. (It's essential in any business dealings, but this requires a bit more care than usual.) - Gerry Quinn > This type of programming should be done only under a written contract. > The contract can specify that all copyrights will be assigned to the > client. .