Automotive

Protecting the IP within your app

Many new vehicles sold today come with their own app. Users can control many different functions of their vehicle using an associated app, including remote access and security, battery charging for EVs, and powertrain and chassis settings. As well as vehicle control, the automotive industry offers many other app development opportunities, for example in the field of mobility as a service (MaaS) where users can manage their shared ownership of a vehicle and request use of a shared vehicle on demand.

Our attorneys can advise on the best way to protect the IP within your app. To be patentable, an app must provide a technical effect outside of the device the app is run on, such as control of a vehicle function. Therefore, an app may not always be protectable with a patent. However, our patent attorneys can also advise on design rights, which can protect the appearance of the user interface of an app; and our trade mark attorneys can advise on protecting the branding of an app, including the app name and associated logos and other branding.