# Intellectual Property Clause

Source: https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/propiedad-intelectual

# Intellectual Property Clause

Determines who owns IP created or used under the contract, and how background and foreground IP are treated.

## Qué es

An IP clause allocates ownership of intellectual property: pre-existing "background" IP each party brings, and "foreground" IP created during the work. It states whether deliverables are assigned to the customer or licensed, and handles moral rights and third-party materials.

## Por qué importa

IP is often the most valuable asset a contract touches. If ownership is unclear, the customer may not be able to use what it paid for, or the supplier may lose reusable assets. Dutch law requires a written deed for transfer of most IP rights.

## Cómo aplicarla

- Distinguish background IP (retained) from foreground IP (assigned or licensed).
- Use a written assignment deed where the law requires it for transfer.
- Address moral rights, third-party and open-source components.
- Grant the non-owner a licence wide enough to use the deliverables in practice.

## Ejemplo de redacción

> All intellectual property rights in the Deliverables created under this Agreement shall transfer to the Customer upon full payment, while each party retains ownership of its pre-existing background IP.

## Consejos de negociación

- • Suppliers should retain reusable tools and methods, granting only a deliverable licence.
- • Customers paying for bespoke work should insist on full assignment of foreground IP.

## Errores frecuentes

- • Relying on a clause that "assigns" IP without the written deed Dutch law requires.
- • Ignoring open-source licence terms embedded in delivered software.

### Cómo ayuda Contracko

Contracko's AI review extracts IP ownership and licence terms from your development, agency and M&A contracts and flags clauses that purport to assign copyright without the required written deed. All IP-bearing contracts are stored in one searchable repository, making it straightforward to audit which agreements transfer foreground IP and which merely grant a licence, giving your team a clear picture of what you actually own.

## Referencias legales

- [Aw art. 2 Copyright Act: transfer requires a deed (Auteurswet) Derecho neerlandés](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0001886)
- [BW 3:84 Assignment of property rights (levering) Derecho neerlandés](https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005291)

Salvo indicación en contrario, las referencias remiten al derecho neerlandés (Burgerlijk Wetboek, el Código Civil neerlandés); los instrumentos de la UE como el RGPD se aplican en toda la UE. Se trata de información general, no de asesoramiento legal. Otras jurisdicciones tratan estos conceptos de forma distinta. Verifique el texto vigente y su situación con un abogado cualificado.

## Relevante para

[Software & SaaS](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/software-saas)[Agencias de marketing y creativas](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/agencias)[Cine & TV](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/cine-television)[Gaming & esports](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/videojuegos-esports)[Música](https://contracko.com/es/sectores/industria-musical)

## Cláusulas relacionadas

- [License Grant Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/concesion-de-licencia)
- [Confidentiality Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/clausula-de-confidencialidad)
- [Indemnification Clause](https://contracko.com/es/biblioteca-de-clausulas/clausula-de-indemnizacion)

## Términos relacionados

- [Intellectual property](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/propiedad-intelectual)
- [License](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/licencia)
- [Assignment](https://contracko.com/es/glosario/cesion)

### No vuelva a perder un plazo de contrato

- La IA encuentra las fechas de renovación y preaviso
- Los riesgos y obligaciones afloran automáticamente
- Los recordatorios le ayudan a actuar antes de que las fechas se escapen

Suelte un contrato para empezar

PDF, DOCX, PNG o JPG

[Empezar prueba de 7 días](https://app.contracko.com/register?appLanguage=es&utm_source=clause_library_sidebar&utm_medium=lead_magnet&utm_campaign=clause_library_sidebar_contract_upload&content_slug=intellectual-property&content_title=Intellectual+Property+Clause&cta_placement=clause_library_sidebar_cta&source_tool=clause_library_sidebar_intellectual-property)

Conforme con el RGPD. Cifrado. Nunca se usa para entrenar la IA.

## Preguntas frecuentes

Preguntas comunes sobre esta cláusula.

- **Q:** Does a contract clause alone transfer copyright in the Netherlands?
  **A:** Not by itself for copyright. Transfer requires a written deed (akte), so a clause should be backed by, or take the form of, such a deed.

- **Q:** What is the difference between background and foreground IP?
  **A:** Background IP pre-exists the project and is usually retained; foreground IP is created during the work and is the IP whose ownership the clause allocates.

- **Q:** What IP risks do open-source components embedded in deliverables create?
  **A:** Copyleft licences such as GPL may require the entire codebase to be released under the same licence, which can undermine proprietary ownership. Always obtain a software bill of materials from the supplier.

- **Q:** What happens to IP developed before full payment?
  **A:** Many IP clauses make transfer conditional on full payment. If the customer has not paid in full, the IP may remain with the supplier until payment, so monitor payment milestones carefully.

- **Q:** Can moral rights be waived in the Netherlands?
  **A:** Partially. Under the Auteurswet an author can waive some moral rights, such as the right to object to alterations, but the right to be named as author cannot be fully excluded.

## No vuelva a perder nunca una cláusula de riesgo

Contracko revisa automáticamente cada contrato en busca de esta cláusula y de las obligaciones que genera.

[Iniciar la prueba gratuita de 7 días](https://app.contracko.com/register?appLanguage=es)

Reservar demo