How does one go about registering a solution using Filemaker as intellectual property? We have developed a very sophisitcated fm solution and now have three clients interested. Before proceeding with beta testing and licensing we want to know how we can protect our time and creativity.

I Think it depends on whether you want to have it as a copyright or patent some part of it. IIRC, any creative work is automatically copyrighted by the owner. This would cover the code itself. This means that no one is allowed to distribute the work w/o your permission and only under the condition you allow.

If you have designed someting totaly novel and innovative, you could apply for a Patent on your creation, which means no one else could make a similar design for a time period, but it's subject to much reviews and checks of "prior art."

That's the best i can explain it, in brief. Maybe others can give you more precise details.

you may want to have your customers sign a license agreement so that you have an agreement in writing that they cannot distribute or alter you soluition for profit or otherwise. I have a copy in MS word of a generic software license agreement that I have used. If you are interested. I will send you a copy.