IP Protection For Open Source and Third Party Code
Modern software is built on the shoulders of open source and third party components — and every one of them comes with licence terms you are agreeing to, whether you have read them or not. Panoramix IP helps you understand, manage and comply with those obligations, with an in-house team that handles the licence review, the risk analysis and the practical remediation, so you can build with confidence.
Whether you are shipping a product, preparing for investment or acquisition, or simply want to know what is really in your codebase, we help you get a clear, accurate picture and a plan to manage the risks.
• Open source licence audits that show what you’re using and what it obliges
• Clear guidance on copyleft, attribution and distribution obligations
• Due diligence support for funding rounds, M&A and product launches
Click below or call us on 01522 712 433 to discuss your open source and code compliance needs.
Open Source Compliance Experts: Here To Help
Our IP lawyers help you take control of the open source and third party code in your products — understanding the obligations you have taken on and managing the risks before they become a problem in a deal or a dispute.
Here’s what our open source compliance specialists can help with:
• Open source software (OSS) audits and licence inventories
• Interpreting licence obligations – permissive, copyleft and strong copyleft (MIT, Apache, GPL, LGPL, AGPL and others)
• Assessing distribution, attribution and source-disclosure obligations
• Reviewing third party and contractor code and assignment of rights
• IP due diligence on codebases for investment, acquisition and sale
• Open source policies and internal governance for engineering teams
• Remediation planning where obligations have not been met
Our Open Source Review Process
Whether you’re preparing for a deal or getting your house in order, here’s how it works with Panoramix IP:
• We have a quick call to understand your product, how it is distributed and why the review matters now
• We identify the open source and third party components in scope, working from your dependency and licence data
• We map the licence obligations that apply and how they interact with your business model
• We flag the areas of risk – copyleft exposure, missing attributions, incompatible licences
• We give you a clear, prioritised action plan to reach compliance
• We support any remediation, contract fixes or disclosures needed to close the gaps
Brands we have Helped
Know What’s Really in Your Code
Very few products are written entirely from scratch. Open source libraries, third party SDKs and contractor-written modules are woven throughout modern software – and each carries licence terms that can affect how you distribute, attribute or even disclose your own code.
We help you build an accurate inventory of what you are using and what each component requires of you. That clarity is valuable in its own right, and essential whenever a buyer, investor or customer starts asking questions about your codebase.
Managing Copyleft and Distribution Risk
The obligations attached to open source licences range from simple attribution to strong copyleft terms that can, in some configurations, require you to make your own source code available. Understanding where those obligations bite – and where they do not – is central to protecting the value of your software.
Our team explains these obligations in plain terms, assesses how they apply to the way you actually build and ship, and helps you put governance in place so that future development stays compliant. Where issues already exist, we help you remediate them in a controlled, sensible way.
Speak to our team on 01522 712 433 or email info@panoramixip.co.uk to get started.
FAQs
Is using open source software risky?
Open source is used safely by almost every software business – the risk is not in using it but in using it without understanding the licence obligations. Problems typically arise from unmanaged copyleft exposure, missing attributions or incompatible licences discovered late, often during due diligence. A review turns unknown risk into a managed one.
What is copyleft and why does it matter?
Copyleft licences (such as the GPL family) require that derivative works, and in some cases software distributed alongside the licensed code, be made available under the same terms – which can include disclosing your source code. Permissive licences (such as MIT or Apache) impose lighter obligations. Understanding which applies, and how, is central to protecting your product’s value.
Why do investors and buyers care about our open source use?
Because undisclosed or non-compliant open source use can undermine the value and ownership of the very software being bought or invested in. Acquirers routinely run open source and code due diligence, and unresolved issues can reduce valuations or derail deals. Getting ahead of this protects both your timeline and your leverage.
Do we own code written by contractors?
Not automatically. In the UK, copyright in work created by an independent contractor usually stays with the contractor unless it is assigned to you in writing. Many businesses discover this gap only during a deal. We help you review contractor arrangements and put proper assignments in place.
What does an open source audit involve?
We work from your dependency and licence data – often supported by automated scanning – to build an inventory of the components in your product, identify the licences that apply, and assess the obligations and risks each creates given how you distribute your software. You receive a clear, prioritised report and action plan.
We think we may already be non-compliant. What now?
Take advice before making changes or public statements. In most cases obligations can be met through steps such as adding attributions, adjusting how components are distributed, replacing a problematic dependency or making a controlled disclosure. We help you assess the exposure and remediate it in a sensible, low-drama way.
How much does an open source review cost?
It depends on the size and complexity of your codebase and the depth of review required – a focused pre-deal check is very different from an enterprise-wide audit. We will scope the work with you and provide a clear estimate up front. Contact us to discuss what you need.
Client Testimonials
You’ll have unlimited access to our lawyers. Meet some of our team
Our Case Studies
Case Study: British American Tobacco
Case Study: Cambridge Mechatronics
Case Study: The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
Case Study: Wow Hydrate
Case Study: The Earthshot Prize
Case Study: Escape Fitness
