This is the most common silent gap in Indian small-business IP. For employees, work made in the course of employment generally belongs to the employer. For independent contractors — designers, developers, agencies — the default position frequently leaves ownership with the creator, with the client holding only an implied licence.
The fix is paperwork
- A written assignment of copyright (Indian law requires assignments to be in writing) covering the deliverables, signed before or with the engagement.
- Moral-rights and further-assurance clauses so the chain of title is clean for investors and acquirers.
- An audit of past engagements: logos, websites, packaging and code delivered without assignments can be papered retrospectively — while relations are good.