What is IP Segregation?
IP Segregation: A methodology for managing Legal/IP Debt. It involves clearly identifying and separating code that is "disposable boilerplate" (AI-led) from code that contains the "Core Intellectual Property" of the business (Human-led).
The Legal Necessity
Because AI-only output is not copyrightable, a codebase that is a "soup" of AI and human code is difficult to defend in court. If a competitor clones your product, you must be able to prove which parts were your "creative authorship."
How IP Segregation Works
1. Scaffolding (AI-Led)
Code that is standard, repetitive, or non-unique (e.g., UI layouts, standard CRUD API wrappers, CSS).
- Strategy: Accept high AI involvement. Accept low IP protection. Use for speed.
2. Core IP (Human-Led)
The algorithms, business logic, and architectural designs that make your product unique.
- Strategy: Mandatory Human-Led Design. AI only assists with implementation. Every line is reviewed and refactored by a human.
Implementing Segregation
In Clean Vibe Code, we implement this through:
- Module Boundaries: Keeping core logic in specific, highly-protected directories.
- Design Logs: Keeping the "Human Design" prompts and ADRs for core modules as evidence of authorship.
- Commit History: Ensuring the git log shows human involvement in the refinement of core components.
Statistics
80%
of code is often 'scaffolding'
20%
of code is usually 'Core IP'
100%
protection needed for that 20%
Related Terms
- Legal/IP Debt: What segregation prevents.
- Due Diligence: Where segregation is verified.
- Human-in-the-Loop: The mechanism for segregation.
Book Reference
- Chapter 11: Can You Patent This? — the complete legal and IP framework.
- Chapter 17: Living With Debt — the strategy for deciding what to protect.