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

Events

Property and Planning seminar, Guildford 26 January 2027

Enjoy breakfast and refreshments, network with industry professionals and hear from our expert Property and Planning team at our latest Guildford Real Estate seminar.

Insights

AI in professional services: who pays if AI got it wrong?

Two years ago, the question was “who is to blame when the machine gets it wrong.” The answer has turned out to be reassuringly old-fashioned: the person you paid for the advice.

02/11/2026

Announcements

DMH Stallard celebrates ‘tremendous’ Chambers 2027 rankings

DMH Stallard has reinforced its position as the South East’s leading law firm with another strong performance in the Chambers and Partners 2027 legal rankings.

20/10/2026

Media spotlight

Kate Partridge talks to BCL Legal about her day as a Corporate lawyertest1

Kate Partridge talks through her usual day as a Corporate lawyer and how a four day week has helped balance her personal life.

Kate Partridge

19/10/2026

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].