How much does it cost to protect software ?

The price of protection depends on the system of protection you chose:

• Copyright protection on software is free as no registration is required. However, if you want proof of the date of your creation, there might be costs involved. For example recording an i-DEPOT with BOIP costs EUR 37.
• Trade secrecy is free, but depending on the measures that are used to actively keep some software aspects secret, i-DEPOT for example, you may have to pay a minimal fee.
• For patent filings you must pay a filing fee, an international search fee, and in some cases a granting fee, renewal fees and translation fees after the grant. Depending on the procedure (national, European or international), the costs can vary. When you consult a patent attorney, extra fees have to be calculated based on their costs.