Software (Source Code) Escrow Recommendations
Discussion
andyb28 said:
We were in a similar situation a few years ago.
Obviously we own everything we create, but we have one customer that it was agreed from the outset that its their code.
We couldn't find anything that worked for either side. So we just setup a script to dump their code from our repository weekly onto a server in their office.
This everyone seems happy with. However, this is an ongoing long term relationship. It might be different if its a create and hand off type setup with payment pending.
Interesting, thanks. Obviously we own everything we create, but we have one customer that it was agreed from the outset that its their code.
We couldn't find anything that worked for either side. So we just setup a script to dump their code from our repository weekly onto a server in their office.
This everyone seems happy with. However, this is an ongoing long term relationship. It might be different if its a create and hand off type setup with payment pending.
It's a situation where a prospective customer wants a bespoke system, we have an application framework that has been developed over a number of years and is used as the basis of what we do, so we can't give them the IP but I'm thinking that an Escrow might satisfy them.
I've actually just got off a video conf with CodeKeeper which seems to be a decent solution and can integrate with our Azure Devops pipeline for a very reasonable monthly fee so hoping that could be an option, was just wondering if anyone had any real world experience.
ATG said:
48k said:
They wouldn't own any code or IP from the outset. They'd be using the application (TBC whether we would host it or they would host it on prem). Then on some trigger event all of the source code would be released to them.
I guess the utility boils down to who gets to decide if an event has occurred and how disputes are resolved. E.g. you're going bust, they decide not to pay a license renewal that's due, they say "you're bust; handover the code". Your receivers say "Pisces off. You've failed to pay your subs. All bets sre off. Make us an offer and we might let you have the code." What does the escrow firm do?Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff