The AGPL origin story: closing the “SaaS” loophole The AGPL was initially created by Affero, Inc., a webservice company for non-profit donations. The license was designed to address what was perceived as a loophole in the traditional GPL regarding...
Articles
All our articles on Intellectual Property
In this section of Vaultinum’s blog dedicated to Intellectual Property, you will find articles addressing key issues such as copyright, patents, open-source licensing and the management of intangible assets. It offers insights into IP valuation, dispute prevention and the protection of innovations, helping companies and investors safeguard and maximise their technology assets.
Failure to comply with GNU GPL V2 license: key takeaways from Orange’s conviction
Understanding the allegations against orange Orange faced severe condemnation for violating the terms of use of the Lasso software. Entr’ouvert, the developer of Lasso, offers it under a dual licensing model, allowing users to choose between the...
Managing open source software integration in software development
Why choose open source in software development? Open source software grants users access to its source code, encouraging collaboration and transparency. This model of software development has revolutionised the technology industry, introducing a...
Software protection by copyright vs patent
Intellectual Property rights: the bedrock of software protection Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, and symbols. When it comes to software, intellectual property rights...
Why originality is major for Software Copyright protection
Consider two software systems that perform the same function, say, text editing. Even though they fulfill the same purpose, the way they process commands, their user interfaces, and underlying algorithms could be unique. These differences reflect...
AI and software: understanding legal risks and protection
Risk of violating the licence of code suggested by artificial intelligence When AI suggests code, it is not creating new code, but drawing on existing code from its databases. It is therefore essential to know to which licence this code is...
How to maximise the value of software IP
The protection of software by copyright lawFrom the moment of its creation, software is protected by copyright laws. This covers various components of the software including the source code, user interface, documentation, multimedia elements, and...
Source Code Intellectual Property: How To Protect It
Key points to remember The source code of a program is protected by copyright, just like any creative work. The person or company who writes the code owns the rights to it, but only if there’s no special agreement saying otherwise. To avoid any...
AI and Intellectual Property, what are the current challenges?
Definition of AI and its evolution in recent years Artificial Intelligence refers to the ability of machines to perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. It is a broad field that encompasses a range of techniques, including...
Best practices for managing software copyright
Understanding Software Copyright and its significanceFirst, let’s start with the basics, copyright is an intellectual property (IP) that confers protection on a creative work at inception and provides exclusive rights to copy and distribute the...
Importance of Source Code Analysis in Technology Due Diligence
Understanding Technology Due DiligenceWhen it comes to Technology Due Diligence, the stakes are high. Whether you're investing in a startup, acquiring a new Tech company, or merging with another business, it's critical to perform a thorough...
Understanding Open-Source Software Risks
The Security Paradox of Open Source SoftwareOne of the most prominent open source software risks is security vulnerabilities. The collaborative nature of open source projects can lead to faster development and better quality with “more eyes on the...
A Checklist to Software IP Audits
By conducting a Software IP Audit, you will be able to assess how well you’re doing and if your IP risks are under control. Whether you’re a company looking to self-audit or whether you’re an investor looking into an M&A opportunity, diving...
All you need to know about Software IP Audits
In today's digital landscape, intellectual property (IP) has become a crucial element of business success. Protecting your software assets is essential to maintaining a competitive edge in the market. This is where IP audits come into play. The IP...
The GPL and its Unique GPL Classpath Exception: what does it mean?
Understanding the GPL License Before delving into the GPL Classpath Exception, it's important to understand the GPL itself. Formulated by the Free Software Foundation (FSF), the GPL is a cornerstone copyleft license. Under the GPL,...
IP security: why the blockchain can’t replace a trusted third party
So, now that the dust has settled, does the reality match the hype? At first, it seemed so. In early 2022, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were worth a combined $3 trillion.[i] Stock exchanges such as Nasdaq and Australia Securities Exchange...
Blockchain: challenges of protecting IP for digital assets
Challenges linked to the protection of intangible assets More than 65% of a company's value comes from its intangible capital, including intellectual property In 2021, it was estimated that more than 65% of a company's value came from its...
The Ultimate Guide to Intellectual Property Audits
Think about it. You’ve taken the time and spent the money to build your business, develop your products and services, create your business methods, and establish your digital presence. Why wouldn’t you want to take the time to ensure that...
What is IP Due Diligence?
Evaluating Technology IP Management Today, intellectual property has taken on even greater importance with organisations amassing new technology in their quest to remain competitive in the digital economy. This is why it’s crucial to have an IP...
Reduce Your Investment Risk: Open Source Vulnerability Scan
All across Europe, we are witnessing astonishing levels of growth within the tech sector, thanks to business decision makers increasingly making this area a priority for their investments. In fact, the UK is one of only three nations worldwide to...
How does software copyright protect Intellectual Property?
Programmers and software developers may be experts in their scientific domain, but ask any of them, and they will let you know that software development is as much an art as it is a science. After all, when a team of coders creates software, it is...
Protection by the sui generis right of databases
Almost two years after the study carried out by the European Commission for the evaluation of Directive 96/9 /CE raising the question of its abolition because of the legal uncertainties it would create, this judgment implements the legal regime, in...
Registering a logo: an essential step of business strategy
Why register your company's logo? Register a logo and anchor your visual identity The visual identity of a company includes all the visual elements that allow customers to identify the company. This visual identity includes the logo. The logo is at...






















