Intellectual property (IP) protection is an important consideration in software development. Here are some top ways to protect intellectual property with software development:

1. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs): NDAs are legal contracts that prohibit parties from disclosing confidential information. An NDA can be used to protect sensitive information related to software development, such as trade secrets or proprietary algorithms.

2. Copyrights: Copyrights protect original works of authorship, such as software code, from unauthorized copying, distribution, and modification. Registering software code with the copyright office can provide legal protection and deter infringement.

3. Patents: Patents protect inventions, including software algorithms or processes, from being copied or used by others without permission. Obtaining a patent can provide legal protection and help establish ownership of the invention.

4. Trademarks: Trademarks protect brand names, logos, and other distinctive elements of a company's identity. Trademark registration can provide legal protection and help prevent others from using similar branding.

5. Open-source licensing: Open-source software licenses allow developers to share their software code with others, while still retaining some control over how the code is used and distributed. Using an open-source license can help protect the intellectual property of a software project while still allowing others to contribute and build upon the code.

6. Code obfuscation: Code obfuscation is the process of modifying software code to make it more difficult to understand or reverse engineer. This can help protect proprietary algorithms and processes from being copied or used by others without permission.

In summary, protecting intellectual property in software development involves a combination of legal agreements, copyright and patent registration, trademarks, open-source licensing, and code obfuscation. By using these methods, software developers can protect their intellectual property and maintain control over their software code and inventions.