article thumbnail

5 Equity Distribution Parameters For Key Contributors

Startup Professionals Musings

Your idea is not intellectual property yet, so it has no inherent value. Key to required patents or trade secrets. In many cases, one of the cofounders may bring some work in progress that can be patented, trademarked, or copyrighted. Every previous experience filing and winning a patent is a rare and valuable asset.

article thumbnail

6 Due Diligence Concerns Before Outside Contracting

Startup Professionals Musings

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of discussion about bringing the work back home, since costs have gone up in less-developed countries, there are issues with intellectual property, and time zone and language differences make management difficult. Keep intellectual property keys in-house.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

6 Realities To Evaluate Your Outsourcing Alternatives

Startup Professionals Musings

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of discussion about bringing the work back home, since costs have gone up in less-developed countries, there are issues with intellectual property, and time zone and language differences make management difficult. Keep intellectual property keys in-house.

article thumbnail

Nuts & Bolts of Intellectual Property for New Startups

Gust

Having covered all the bases to ensure that your corporate name is available, the domain name can be acquired, and the name doesn’t infringe any existing trademarks (as we discussed last week ), now is a good time to look at the categories of intellectual property (IP) that are relevant to most startups. Intellectual property.

article thumbnail

Battling Big Business Bullies On The IP Playground: Minimizing The Risk Of Intellectual Property Litigation

YoungUpstarts

Intellectual property (IP), which is often the heart of a startup’s business strategy, constitutes a small subset of those legal rights. The four types of intellectual property are trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents. Trademarks are an easily recognizable form of intellectual property.

article thumbnail

10 Common Startup Mistakes That Are Rarely Admitted

Startup Professionals Musings

Bypasses intellectual property as not worth the cost. Cash is always hard to find, but in many cases it’s even harder to find access to needed distribution channels, government contract expertise, or the special skills required to deliver your solution. Easier-to-use’ and other fuzzy terms won’t get any attention.

article thumbnail

Intellectual Property for Startups in the Real World

Gust

Last month we covered the basics of intellectual property (IP) for startups, including a simple taxonomy, some common issues and related documents for entrepreneurs to use when forming a new startup. I’m proud to contribute to the effort and always enjoy reading what the other authors have to say.