APP's Services

1. SOFTWARE REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT

This very reliable procedure consists of establishing a date of creation which evidences the existence of the deposited product. It also gives an opportunity, based on information provided by the developer to review all known property rights and to qualify the work as either collective or jointly owned product, or as an adaptation of a pre-existing work.

2. ESCROWED ACCESS TO THE SOURCE CODE

In case of default by the developer, the user may perpetuate the use of its information system by obtaining a copy of the source code by way of a specific procedure whereby the APP acts as an escrow agent. This same service can be achieved by a three-party contract setting forth the events triggering the delivery of the source code, such as when the developer enters into liquidation whether voluntary or compulsory, has a receiver or administrator appointed, or fails to provide the contractually agreed services etc. This procedure is also useful when local law makes it mandatory for a legal entity to guarantee access to the source code of an information system.

3. SECURE DEPOSIT : SUPERVISED COMPILING OF THE SOURCE CODE

This procedure requires the presence of both the owner and the user at a test for compilation of the source code. Its purpose is to verify that the deposited source code corresponds to the object code attributed to the user, with all necessary upgrades, and that they are not defective.

4. SOFTWARE DIAGNOSTIC : ANALYSIS OF MAINTAINABILITY

The APP establishes a certificate which is the outcome of a very specific study conducted by APP technicians to evaluate the maintainability of the deposited software. This is to determine in what measures a third party professional could undertake for the long term maintenance of the software, if it were compelled to take such a step, due to the developer's default.

5. VOLUNTARY LICENCE AUDIT

Members can contractually assign to the APP the task of verifying that all necessary licences have been duly obtained for the software. In this case, the APP sends a group of technicians instructed to conduct an audit of the documentation relative to the software on agreed terms with the relevant contracting party. Sample verifications are conducted to determine whether the software is used in accordance with the related licences. The mission encompasses the drafting of a report pointing out discrepancies so determined. The user undertakes to inform its employees of the content and consequences of current legislation protecting developers' rights - and licensed users rights as well - and to take steps to obtain any missing licence.

6. ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION BOARDS

When a dispute involving the ownership of a computer program arises between two or more software developers who are source code depositors registered with the APP, the parties agree to submit their case to an arbitration committee set up according to the APP's arbitration rules. This procedure has always proven effective to provide settlement between licensers and users, sellers and purchasers, employees and employers, or between two developers claiming ownership on the same software.

7. LEGAL ACTIONS

In order to defend creators' rights, the APP is leading many judiciary proceedings, both civil and penal. Thanks to its action, numerous decisions have been given, reducing tremendously infringement attempts by employees or competitors.

Besides, the APP may, upon express request, initiate judiciary action in accordance with local law.