{"id":3239,"date":"2026-03-10T17:31:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/?p=3239"},"modified":"2026-03-10T17:31:01","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T16:31:01","slug":"propriete-intellectuelle-pour-ta-start-up-breve-checklist-en-5-etapes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/2026\/03\/10\/propriete-intellectuelle-pour-ta-start-up-breve-checklist-en-5-etapes\/","title":{"rendered":"Intellectual property for your start-up? A quick 5-step checklist."},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2.png 1024w, https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/u5499864723_Colorful_magical_sun_ocean_-v_7_e98d683d-bc65-481f-8f61-0b6ee2b55b9e_2-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, is that it? Has the project moved out of the garage or the house\u2014is it ready to take off? Well done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bravo\u2014getting this far was already a challenge; take a deep breath and spread your wings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, let\u2019s coat this beautiful object!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Protecting software<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Who owns the software?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If an employee creates software as part of their work, the company owns it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If an external provider (freelancer, agency) develops the software, it is essential to ensure that the contract provides for the assignment of copyright in the software (pay close attention to formal requirements).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you created the software BEFORE setting up your company, the company does not own it. And that could be a problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consequences if this is not done:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You risk being unable to exploit, sell, or modify your own software, because the creator can prevent you from using it and demand compensation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not a disaster, either:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is never straightforward, but the situation can be regularized using copyright assignment or licensing agreements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Protecting trademarks, patents, and designs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How do I go about it?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You must officially register your trademark, your invention (patent), or your creations (designs or models) with the relevant authorities (in France, Europe, or internationally).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matters covered by copyright do not require registration in France, but in other territories, you need to check.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BRAND Focus: What should you do?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You should have a proper prior art search conducted (not just a quick look on the INPI website or in a search engine).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then, you determine the scope of your activities and identify the product and service classes essential to your business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Next, you identify the product and service categories in which you could expand\u2014and, incidentally, those where you would prefer no one else to enter for the time being.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finally, you determine the markets in which you plan to operate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And you file it yourself, or have it filed by an authorized representative.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To take things further: don't forget to consider the question of domain names.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Risks if this is not done:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You might find yourself stepping on toes\u2014and frankly, once you\u2019ve built your entire marketing strategy around a specific term, and your initial clients and investors know you by that name, it\u2019s\u2026 well, how should I put it? Not ideal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also possible for someone else to register the trademark or invention in your place and then try to prevent you from using it, or force a license\u2014and consequently royalty payments (i.e., money)\u2014upon you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not a disaster, either:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At first, packaging isn\u2019t your biggest concern; you tell yourself you\u2019ll just test the idea and the market a bit\u2014and you\u2019re right. You can always register another brand after a few months or even years of development\u2014once you\u2019ve secured initial funding, giving you a budget better suited to those steps.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Protect databases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How do you know if your database is protected?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you make a particular effort to organize or select the data? That may be eligible for copyright protection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have you invested a lot of time and money? You might have specific rights regarding this database.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In short, the question to ask yourself at the outset is: if a third party were to scrape your database, how unfair would you consider it for them to exploit it?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risks if this is not done:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Others may copy or use the database without your consent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not a disaster, either:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This will lead to a strongly worded cease-and-desist letter. That is a possibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Have contracts drafted by professionals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The Essentials<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who owns the rights to what?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure the validity of your copyright assignment clauses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add confidentiality clauses to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan for how the rights may be transferred to or used by others (assignment or license).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risks if this is not done:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conflicts with employees, service providers, or partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of control over your creations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not a disaster, either:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regularization of intellectual property rights assignment agreements or license agreements. It is possible.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Monitor and defend your rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What should you do if a problem arises?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor whether anyone copies or uses your creations without your permission.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can serve a formal notice to cease and, in the absence of a response or agreement, initiate legal proceedings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risks if this is not done:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss of value of your company.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Difficulty raising funds or selling your business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s not a disaster, either:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In some cases, it amounts to free publicity and boosts your visibility. Weigh the pros and cons before getting worked up!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Check :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify everything you create or use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact professionals to file trademarks, patents, and designs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact professionals to draft contracts that truly protect your interests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Monitor the use of your creations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Act quickly in the event of unauthorized copying or use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Alors \u00e7a y est\u00a0? Le projet est sorti du garage, de la maison, il est pr\u00eat \u00e0 s\u2019envoler\u00a0? Bravo, c\u2019\u00e9tait d\u00e9j\u00e0 difficile d\u2019arriver jusqu\u2019ici, respire grand et ouvre les ailes. Maintenant, on va l\u2019enrober ce bel objet&nbsp;! 1. Prot\u00e9ger les logiciels 2. Prot\u00e9ger les marques, brevets, dessins et mod\u00e8les 3. Prot\u00e9ger les bases de donn\u00e9es [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-competences","category-propriete-intellectuelle"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3239"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3248,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3239\/revisions\/3248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cdumesnil.com\/en_us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}