Well, Im always scared to hire someone to create my ideas. Since Im really afraid of they stealing my code and release it with another name. Example, right now, Im interested in hiring someone to make an iphone app game. But how do I know he wont release it with another name or sell it, etc. Same with php scripts. What should I do? Take the risk? THANKS A LOT. Any help is REALLY appreciated
If someone develop something for you they will always have access to the code. There's one way you can use to minimize the risk though. Have a company develop the core/base of the code. At design phrase, the code will need to be able to expand by adding different "modules" or "add-ons". And for sure you will need them to create documentation on how to create/remove the "add-ons". At this point the core doesn't necessary have any actual functionality itself. It just need to be able to expand by adding "add-ons". For instance, it can have "session handling" core function, but "login" functionality can be added by other company through "add-ons" Then you can hire different companies to create the add-ons base on the core/base code (like APIs, they can use those functions but cannot see the source code). Its more troublesome. But each company only own/maintain part of your codes so they can't take full advantage of it unless all those companies are related and interested in sharing your code... That's one way I can think of
the trouble and expense the above suggestion might cause-- might make it worth it to hire a lawyer- and draw up an ironclad contract that will have the software developer in a lot of trouble if he tries to sell your idea elsewhere. Another option? Learn C. Q...
If you know how to program yourself, contact developers to develop 'modules' and you string them all together with some base code Most secure way I know of
Only way is to hire someone to work inside your own office. And even then they can easily copy code but then at least you can work with a person-to-person contract that holds them responsible. ( still doesn't actually stop them from making a copy and selling it ) The only other protection is to keep the key elements of your application to yourself and just outsource the non-essential work. Unless you can get "official" protection in the form of a patent you'll have to take the risk.
First of all, ensure that your contract is rock solid. This should be enough. Remembering though, it's not necessarily bad for subcontractors to use code that they developed for you for others - its a way of reducing costs. Second, ensure that your art is awesome - this is something that is hard to pirate. Third, have your own developer, or hire multiple subcontractors so that even if one tries to make a copy-cat game, yours will still be more advanced. Four, develop a brand name - and get to market first!
There is no such thing as complete security, because any developer keeps what he/she has written in the past in their head for some period of time. You can take steps to mitigate such exposure through legal contracts,anti-competition, IP assignment and potential patent application agreements, to name but a few. The reality is though, the person(s) that you hire will have intimate knowledge of the system that they develop and while the legal documents may preclude competition for some period of time, they do not stop them from developing in a parallel track, but delaying release to comply with your agreement. Even if they develop a better solution, being possible due to lessons learned while developing for you, you would have to file a lawsuit for breach of contract, assuming that this course of action is even available to you.
If you don't have a large budget and don't want to go down the litigation/contract route then the best option may be to split your project into small incremental bits only exposing what bits are necessary for the developer to see.