Is Your Website Truly 'Yours'? 🤔

Hello everyone! Today, we're going to discuss a very important topic that many people might overlook, but it's directly linked to our business's digital assets.

Do We Truly 'Own' Our Websites?

When you think about it, almost every business today has a presence in the digital world. From your local bakery to global construction companies, it's harder to find a business without a website. According to recent statistics, there are a staggering 1.2 billion websites on the internet, with 200,000 new ones emerging every single day. That's an immense number, isn't it? 🌐

In an era where creating a website has become much easier than before, there's one critical question that many businesses tend to overlook: 'Do we truly own this website?'

What is the Real Meaning of 'Ownership'?

While it might sound obvious at first, the answer to this question can be more complex than you think. Surprisingly, in many cases, businesses do not actually 'own' the websites they've created, nor the digital assets contained within them.

Here, 'ownership' goes beyond just having a website address or renting server space; it specifically refers to intellectual property rights, particularly copyright. Who holds the copyright for the website's design or content? According to UK law, the person who undertakes and completes tasks such as writing website code is the holder of that copyright.

In most situations, unless a company has in-house professional digital designers or developers, these rights are likely to belong to the external agency or freelancer who built the website. 😲

Could It Consequently Not Be 'Yours'?

If you haven't entered into a clear contract for the transfer of ownership with the company that built your website, your business might effectively be 'renting' its website. This can extend beyond just the design to include all content, data, and even customer information housed on the website.

Just thinking about it is unnerving, isn't it? 😨 That the digital assets we've painstakingly built over time might not actually be 'ours'.

So, What Should We Do?

The most crucial step is to clearly verify and stipulate intellectual property and ownership transfer clauses when signing website development contracts. It is essential to include a clause in the contract with the developer or agency stating that 'all rights are transferred to the business'. ✍️

If you are already operating a website, it's advisable to re-examine your current contract thoroughly or confirm the ownership transfer status with your website development company. To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, consider undertaking the necessary legal procedures to clarify ownership.

Is Your Website Secure?

After hearing this, how about your website? Have you ever pondered this before? 🤔

I hope this serves as an opportunity to re-evaluate whether your business's valuable digital assets are being safely protected. Let's all ensure we proudly own the websites that embody our collective efforts!

Have a wonderful day! 😊