Patent – One of the most common questions among app developers is whether it is possible to register a patent for an application. The answer is – it depends. There are many applications that include technological elements, related, for example, to the way data is handled, or to communication with servers and other system components. Applications of this type may be patentable, although each case must be considered on its own merits. We emphasize that when the question of eligibility for patent registration arises, it is very important to consult a professional who has knowledge and background in the field, in order to avoid a situation where you invest money in filing a patent application for an application that is not eligible for registration, or alternatively invest hundreds of thousands of shekels in application development which had to be protected by a patent.
Trademarks – Can protect, among other things, names, characters, letters, colors, sounds and their combinations. Contrary to popular belief, a trademark does not have to be just a name or logo, but every unique element that allows consumers to identify the mark with a specific source.
Copyright – The application itself can be considered a “literary work”, as it is in fact a computer program with a source code, which constitutes the text of the work. Additional elements can be protected, such as the graphic design, the texts that appear in the app, the video and music files and more.
Designs – You can also protect the appearance of a product or part of a product, consisting of one or more visual characteristics of the product or part of the product, including the outline, color, shape, decoration, texture or the material from which the product is made.
In addition to IP protection, it is important to provide contractual protection, in the form of confidentiality and engagement agreements, which aim to protect the idea itself and the work in the early stages where it has not yet been fully formed, as well as to regulate relations with various professionals involved in development (designers, developers, investors, etc.).