Our focus is you

As a customer, there are many advantages to commissioning bespoke or custom software for your business, including creating a tailored and efficient user experience and giving you a greater degree of control over the use of the software. From a legal perspective, however, IP rights in bespoke software that you commission may still remain owned by the software developer. It is far better that there is something in writing which clearly transfers the ownership of the IP rights in the bespoke software to the commissioning customer so as to remove any uncertainty.

Once ownership has transferred to you, you may issue licences and distribute the software in line with your business plans and objectives. You will, however, be responsible for updating and developing the software on an ongoing basis to ensure it retains its value and remains fit for purpose. For this reason, you may wish to continue engaging the developer under a separate maintenance contract to undertake this for you, if you do not have the capabilities in-house.

Our lawyers are based in the UK and have offices in London and across the South East including Crawley, Gatwick, Guildford, Brighton, Horsham and Hassocks.

Please note that visits to our office is by appointment only. If you wish to contact one of our legal experts you can do via our online enquiry form.

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Insights

Announcements

Firm views employee satisfaction as ‘key driver’ of success

DMH Stallard has reported exceptional levels of employee satisfaction, with 100% agreeing that the firm is a good place to work in latest survey.

28/09/2026

Insights

DMH Stallard advises BDX Group on ‘strategic acquisition’

DMH Stallard has advised BDX Group Ltd and Socrates Holdings Ltd on the successful acquisition of Socrates Imaging B.V. and Socrates Imaging Ltd.

24/09/2026

Insights

(Un)lawful information gathering: Baroness Lawrence v Associated Newspapers [2026]

unpacking the High Court’s dismissal of privacy claims arising from unlawful information gathering in Baroness Lawrence v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 1637.

18/09/2026

Events

Right to work checks – Are you ready for 1 October 2026?

In this latest webinar, our Immigration team willl provide an overview of what is changing, what it means for your business, and how your commercial contracts and service arrangements may be impacted by the extended liabilities pertaining to third party workers.

DISCLAIMER:

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED TO AMOUNT TO LEGAL ADVICE ON WHICH RELIANCE SHOULD BE PLACED. WE, DMH STALLARD LLP, DISCLAIM ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY ARISING FROM ANY RELIANCE PLACED ON THIS INFORMATION. ANY RELIANCE ON THIS INFORMATION IS SOLELY AT YOUR RISK. The provision of this information does not create a business or professional services relationship. This information is not exhaustive and does not attempt to address every issue relevant to a particular situation. If you require advice on a specific legal issue, please contact a lawyer listed on our website, dmhstallard.com, or send an email to [email protected].