With the advancing digital transformation, verification and validation with simulations is getting more and more important. Reduced hardware testing and shortening of development times require a significant boost in digital vehicle development. The Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) is a tool independent standard to support both, model exchange and co-simulation of behavior models using a combination of xml-files and compiled C-code. In this paper the increasing importance of interllectual property protection within the scenario of cross-company collaboration is discussed. A recommended process to secure IP including a complete decision-making chain, from analyzing the simulation model and identifying the IP, classification of security level and usage, identification of the threads to the IP and eventually choosing of appropriate protection mechanisms is presented. Subsequently, an analysis of the current technical landscape for necessary IP protection measures reveals the need for action within the field of digital rights management/license management, and the use of state-of-the-art source code obfuscation as a technical measures.