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psa: who owns code written with Copilot

Started by megan.h_23 · Nov 26, 2025 · 1,265 views · 11 replies
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
MH
megan.h_23 OP

I've been trying to resolve this on my own but I'm stuck.

who owns code written with Copilot. I've been dealing with this for about 6 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

This involves content I created over the past 25 months. I do have documentation proving my ownership and timeline.

What's the typical outcome in situations like this?

NA
need_advice_asap_2

Been there. Here's what I learned.

I eventually got results by escalating/manager. It took 1-3 months but was worth it.

CO
CourtClerkAmy_35

This happened to me too. Have you tried filing a complaint with the relevant agency? In my case they investigated and it got resolved without needing a lawyer.

JE
jenny_2024_10

Been there. Here's what I learned.

I ended up filing with the appropriate government agency or something like that, which cost about $4-8 but saved me a lot more in the long run.

TV
teacher_vibes_21

NAL, but from what I've read, you should send a written demand. But honestly you should verify this with someone who knows your state's laws.

TN
totally_not_spam_18

I work in this industry and unfortunately this is very common. The good news is that when people actually push back with legal representation, companies usually settle.

SM
sue_me_maybe_27

Following this thread — Bookmarking this. Dealing with almost the exact same thing.

TL
Kelly_TL Moderator

I practice in this area. Here's my take on the legal issues.

This is a common situation and the law is fairly clear. Under the Lanham Act, likely to cause confusion.

The practical consideration here is cost vs. potential recovery. For disputes under $10K, small claims court is often the best route.

TY
tyler_92_34

Just want to point out — the statute of limitations might be a factor here. In some states it's as short as 1-2 years. Don't sit on this too long.

ST
startuplife_13

I've dealt with this before.

I ended up having everything documented, which cost about $3-6 but saved me a lot more in teh long run.

TA
terms_and_conditioned_19

This happened to me too. Have you tried filing a complaint with the relevant agency? In my case they investigated and it got resolved without needing a lawyer.

SF
MediatorPaulR_13 Business Owner

Update: filed in small claims court last week. Total cost was $75 filing fee + $20 for service by the sheriff. No attorney needed. The defendant (a major corporation) has to send a representative to appear in person. Most of the time they'd rather settle than send someone to small claims court over a few thousand dollars.