from Hacker News

Ask HN: I've never released an app before – any must do's to protect myself?

by ramenmeal on 8/22/22, 2:13 AM with 3 comments

I have side project that is getting to the point where I can start letting the public use it. I've never released a product on my own and I'm looking to cover my bases. Some examples of what I'm thinking are cookie notices and CCPA/privacy requirements. Any others things I should be wary of?

Thanks!

  • by powerbroker on 8/22/22, 3:00 AM

    You should at least register a trademark for the name of the app, using an 'intent to use' federal trademark registration.

    Depending on how innovative the tech is, it wouldn't hurt talking to a patent attorney, so you have at least some moat to keep copyists at bay. I've found many inventors underestimate the protectability of their inventions.

    That patent attorney might be able to offer you some kind of 'terms of service' that blocks your users from reverse engineering and using the software beyond its intended use.

  • by medymed on 8/22/22, 3:00 AM

    One is software licensing of any software components you are using.

  • by readonthegoapp on 8/23/22, 6:46 AM

    Mainly I think of protecting yourself from a $100k aws bill