It’s hard to believe there once was a world without software. Programming code has worked its way into every aspect of human activity from jogging to designing a new kitchen to securing our national defense. The rapid development of software and programming over the last four decades has created new rules and laws that regulate the creation and protection of software. The result is an incredible amount of pressure on developers to get to beta (and beyond) ASAP. In the rush to launch, don’t lose track of important legal and business issues. This section can help you chart the right legal course for your software application.