Open source software has increased the opportunity to re-use existing software, but the use of commercial components often imposes licensing constraints and requirements which are challenging to follow. When such licenses are not observed the protection of software property is threatened, and major code rewrites and the banned use of open source software can result.

This white paper details approaches to managing intellectual property during component-based software development. Discover the seven best practices to successfully manage this approach to software development, including how to:

• Re-use existing components
• Track the creation and modification of internal components
• Assess sensitivity and licensing obligations of components before re-use
• Verify components for each build and release
• Review compliance at project phase transitions
• Control component contribution and distribution
• Assess software components before acquisition