Website & App IP Essentials: What You Own (and What You Don’t) - Ep 18

Most business owners assume their website or app is “theirs.”

But in reality, ownership of what you’ve built is often fragmented — spread across developers, designers, copywriters, and third-party platforms.

In this episode, Elise breaks down how intellectual property actually works in websites and apps, where businesses commonly get caught out, and what to fix before it impacts growth, control, or a future sale.

This is a practical guide to understanding what you own, what you’re licensing, and how to properly secure your digital assets.

What We Cover

  • Why your website or app is a bundle of different IP rights
  • The common misconception that paying = owning
  • Who typically owns:Code
  • Design (UX/UI)
  • Website copy and content
  • Images, videos, and digital assets
  • The difference between ownership vs licence (and why it matters)
  • Risks that show up when:Changing developers
  • Scaling or commercialising
  • Raising investment
  • Selling your business
  • Hidden IP risks in:Shopify, Wix, and SaaS platforms
  • Stock images and third-party assets
  • Contractor-created content

Key Takeaways

  • Your website or app is not a single asset — it’s made up of multiple IP components with different ownership rules
  • Paying a developer or designer does not automatically transfer ownership
  • Without proper agreements, key parts of your platform may be owned by others
  • IP gaps often surface during due diligence, disputes, or scaling
  • Getting this right early is significantly easier than fixing it later

Practical Steps for Business Owners

If you have (or are building) a website or app:

1. Put proper agreements in place

Ensure all developers, designers, and contractors sign agreements with clear IP assignment clauses.

2. Confirm ownership sits with your business entity

Not you personally — your company should own the assets.

3. Understand what you’re licensing

Platforms like Shopify or plugins are licensed, not owned — know the limits.

4. Keep records and access

Maintain contracts, source files, and login credentials in one place.

5. Protect your brand

Register trade marks where appropriate and ensure consistent use.

A Common Scenario

A business builds an app using external developers and creatives.

A few years later, they:

  • Seek investment, or
  • Try to sell

During due diligence, it becomes clear they don’t fully own:

  • The code
  • The design
  • Parts of the content

The result? Delays, renegotiation — or a lost deal.

Why This Matters

Your website or app is often a core business asset.

If you don’t control the IP:

  • You don’t fully control the business
  • And that impacts value, scalability, and exit options

Need Help?

If you’re unsure whether your website or app IP is properly structured, now is the time to review it.

Book a strategy call:

www.elisesteegstra.com

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