Legal considerations to take into account when creating a mobile app
Mobile apps have been generational over recent years. Since the birth of smartphones, it’s almost like society can’t be without their phones. They have apps that can do practically anything for their life and help to improve it.
Unfortunately, creating an app isn’t as simple as thinking of an idea and bringing it to life. You’ll be operating like a business, which means you need to have a business mindset when creating your app.
You’ve thought of the idea, what you’re going to pitch as a price and how it will function. However, have you thought about the legal aspects of your app? This is likely to be the most important step to take out of all of them.
Here are some legal considerations to make before marketing your app.
How will your business operate?
When creating a mobile app, there are 3 ways in which you can operate as a creator of a mobile app:
Sole Trader – This will mean you’re the sole contact for all operations to do with your mobile app. If you make a loss or profit, this will be classified as personal income, which you need to declare for tax purposes.
Partnership – If you need a little investment, you have the option of operating as a partnership. This means you and another person will be operating the business and the responsibility of the business is dependent on the partnership agreement.
Company – You could alternatively as a limited company. This means your business and you operate separately. Instead, you’ll have to adhere to acts that are regulated for businesses to keep in line with the Article of Association.
Intellectual Property
You’ve come up with a brilliant idea for a mobile app that you believe will take the industry by storm. Wouldn’t it be a shame if someone was to steal it? This is where intellectual property protection plays a big role.
Protecting your app through intellectual property protects your idea from being stolen and any actions that are made around it. There are 3 ways that you can protect yourself – implementing trademark which covers your name, app and logo. Copyright which prevents any assets created for the app from being stolen. Patents protect the idea of new creations. Litigations solicitors Manchester based can help with these matters to ensure you choose the right form of IP protection.
Ownership of App
Whilst you may be the person with all the ideas, bringing it to life can be tricky unless you’re a whizz when it comes to apps and how they are developed. If you’re not, you’ll need a team of mobile app experts who can help to create the app.
Considering developers tend to work as sole traders, they’re likely to come with their copyright. This means whatever they create for you won’t be under your business. This is where you need to implement development agreements which transfer any ownership of what they create to your business. You’re simply using them for their services rather than what they’re creating.
Incorporate Privacy Agreements
Depending on what your app is created to do, you’re likely to need the personal information of users in order for it to fulfil their required needs. Establishing privacy agreements with your app ensures users are safe and secure whilst using it. If you fail to do this, you’ll be breaching privacy laws which can have you in serious trouble with the law.
If you’re creating a mobile app, it’s important not to underestimate legal considerations of creating one. Ensure you’re well informed about the laws that surround mobile app creation. Gaining advice from corporate solicitors Manchester based can be beneficial to prevent problems in the future.
