Software
Trade Secret Protection for Software Companies
Software patents are expensive, slow, and often unenforceable. Protect your algorithms, source code, and AI models with blockchain timestamps that provide instant, private, court-ready proof.
The Challenge
IP Challenges in Software
Software companies face unique intellectual property risks that traditional protection methods struggle to address.
Software Patents Are Unreliable
Software patents face constant validity challenges, especially in the UK and EU where pure software is largely unpatentable. Even granted patents are frequently invalidated in court.
Rapid Iteration Outpaces Patent Timelines
Software evolves weekly. The 2-5 year patent process means your innovation is obsolete before protection arrives. You need IP protection that moves at the speed of development.
Open Source and IP Conflicts
Drawing the line between open-source contributions and proprietary code requires clear documentation. Without timestamped records, ownership disputes become costly and unpredictable.
Developer Mobility and IP Theft
Software engineers change jobs frequently, carrying knowledge of your architecture, algorithms, and trade secrets. Proving what was yours requires evidence, not just NDAs.
The Solution
How immut Protects Software IP
Blockchain-verified timestamps give software companies instant, court-ready proof of their innovations.
Timestamp Every Commit and Release
Integrate immut into your CI/CD pipeline. Automatically timestamp major releases, algorithm updates, and architectural decisions to build an unbreakable chain of evidence.
Protect AI Models and Training Data
AI models and curated datasets are valuable trade secrets. Timestamp model weights, training methodologies, and proprietary datasets to prove ownership and creation dates.
Establish Prior Art Defence
If a competitor patents something you built first, timestamped evidence gives you a prior art defence. Prove your innovation predates their filing without ever having filed a patent.
Secure Pre-Investment IP
Before due diligence and investor meetings, timestamp your core technology. Demonstrate robust IP protection practices that VCs and acquirers look for.
Real-World Scenario
A Day in the Life: SaaS Startup Defending Against a Patent Troll
A growing SaaS company receives a cease-and-desist letter from a patent holder claiming their recommendation algorithm infringes a vaguely worded patent filed 3 years ago.
The CTO retrieves timestamped records from immut showing the algorithm's development history. The earliest timestamp predates the patent application by 14 months.
Each iteration of the algorithm — from initial whiteboard sketch to production deployment — has a blockchain-verified timestamp proving exactly when each version existed.
The company's lawyers present the blockchain evidence as prior art. The timestamps are independently verifiable and cannot be disputed or backdated.
The patent holder withdraws the claim. The cost of defence: a few hours of lawyer time and $29/month in immut fees. Without timestamps, litigation would have cost £200,000+.
Patent troll defeated with blockchain evidence — saving hundreds of thousands in potential litigation costs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I protect software without a patent?
Yes. Most software IP is better protected through trade secrets and copyright than patents. Trade secrets protect algorithms, methods, and architectures indefinitely without disclosure. Copyright protects source code automatically. Blockchain timestamps prove when you created each version.
How does timestamping work with continuous deployment?
immut can integrate with your development workflow. Timestamp major releases, significant algorithm changes, or any code that represents a competitive advantage. You don't need to timestamp every commit — focus on innovations that matter.
Are AI models and training data protectable as trade secrets?
Absolutely. AI model architectures, trained weights, proprietary training data, and fine-tuning methodologies all qualify as trade secrets if kept confidential. Blockchain timestamps prove you had them at specific dates.
What if a competitor independently develops similar software?
Unlike patents, trade secrets don't prevent independent development. However, timestamps prove you had the technology first — essential for prior art defences, investor confidence, and cases where copying (rather than independent creation) is suspected.
How much does this cost compared to a software patent?
A software patent costs £15,000-£40,000+ and takes 2-5 years. immut starts free and Professional is $29/month. You can timestamp thousands of files for less than the cost of a single patent consultation.
Ready to Protect Your Software IP?
Book a call to see how immut gives software companies instant, blockchain-verified proof of their innovations. Get protected on the call.