Scott Edward Walker

OCTOBER 19, 2020

Over the past six months, my firm has been engaged by a number of startups with significant intellectual property (“IP”) problems. In a couple of cases, the founders played lawyer on their own; in the other cases, the founders either used (i) a Web service that did not address IP issues or (ii) an inexperienced law firm.

IP 52

IP Software Review Founder Technical Review 52

Scott Edward Walker

NOVEMBER 22, 2015

For many startups, intellectual property (IP) is their most valuable asset. Below are the three most common IP-related mistakes that startups make — the first of which I discuss in this brief video with Jason Calacanis. Mistake #2 – Not Assigning to the Company Any IP Created Pre-Incorporation.

IP 40

IP Software Review Due Diligence Intellectual Property 40

Scott Edward Walker

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Indeed, you must make sure that all of the shares of common stock issued by the corporation to the founders are subject to vesting restrictions – which means that ownership of the shares would vest over time (instead of all of the shares being owned outright on day one). IP Ownership. Vesting Restrictions.

Vesting 89

Vesting Software Review IP Intellectual Property 89

Gust

DECEMBER 8, 2011

Readers can anticipate my next point in continuing the analogy: It makes no more sense for a non-lawyer to prepare fundamental legal, governance, equity and intellectual property documents than it would for a patient to self-diagnose and begin taking prescription-strength antibiotics or other medications.

Intellectual Property 139

Intellectual Property Non-disclosure Agreement Delaware Stock 139

Startup Company Lawyer

JULY 20, 2009

Please keep in mind that even if a company is incorporated, founder stock purchase agreements with repurchase rights over unvested stock if founders leave are not included with the documents from typical online incorporation services. Creating intellectual property. Issuing stock options.

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IP Stock Options Preferred Stock Capital Gains 67

Tim Keane

JANUARY 12, 2010

  However, I assume that the proposed business solves a real problem that people are willing to pay for and that it may be lest costly, more efficient, and IP-protected. [5]   A bottom up approach has the advantage of logic. [4]   [6] Both parties should be aware that overpaying by investors can be a sign of trouble.

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Term Sheet Valuation Dividend Liquidation Preference 68

blog.simeonov.com

FEBRUARY 22, 2010

It outlines key points of agreement between founders around IP ownership, equity ownership, vesting, etc. For example, without a clear vehicle (a company) to contribute intellectual property into, a founder who walks away may mean that the future company won’t own its own IP. An email would do.

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Founder Vesting Agile Startup 44