Guide topic 11
Who Owns My Data and the System You Build?
Before any AI or software project begins, ownership and control should be clear in writing. These are the questions a business should ask any developer — including us.
Questions to clarify before starting
- Who owns company data?
- Who owns custom source code?
- Who owns the databases?
- Who controls hosting accounts?
- Who controls domains?
- Who controls third-party service accounts?
- Can data be exported, and in what form?
- What happens if the relationship ends?
- Which components depend on third-party software?
- What licenses apply?
Get the answers in the agreement
The specific terms for any Western Software Developers project are set in that project's agreement. This page does not make contractual promises; it lists what should be settled before work begins.