If you paid to build custom software, you should own the source code, but only when your contract says so in writing. Without that clause, the person who built it can legally keep it, which can leave you unable to change, fix, or move your own software.
Who owns software you paid someone to build?
Not always you, and that surprises people. By default, whoever writes the code often owns it, unless the contract hands ownership to you. Paying the invoice is not the same as owning the result. The words in the contract decide it, not the money you spent.
Why does it matter so much?
Because ownership is control. If you own the code, you can hire anyone to work on it, move it, or fix it. If you don’t, you’re stuck with one supplier who can raise prices or vanish. That’s the trapped feeling many owners describe, and it’s a real risk with hiring a solo developer who holds everything alone.
How do I check if I own mine?
Two quick checks. First, read your contract for a line that says the code becomes yours once paid. Second, make sure you can actually reach the files and accounts, under your own name and login. A guide to what a proper handover includes shows exactly what you should have in hand.
| What you have | What it means |
|---|---|
| A contract clause giving you the code | You own it, on paper |
| Accounts and passwords in your name | You control it in practice |
| Only an invoice, no clause | You may not own it yet |
| No access, no logins | You’re depending on someone else |
What should the contract say?
It should say, in plain words, that all code, files, and accounts made for you become yours once you’ve paid. It should also promise a full handover of access and passwords. If the contract is silent on ownership, treat that as a gap to fix before more money changes hands.
What if I do not have access?
Don’t panic. Start by asking your current supplier, in writing, to hand over the code and accounts. If they refuse or have gone silent, you still have options. A fresh team can usually find, recover, and take over the software, which is what our app rescue work is for.
At Givore, we build software you own from day one. The code, the accounts, and the passwords are yours, in writing, with one team and one point of contact if anything needs changing. Not sure where you stand today? Tell us on WhatsApp.