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How to Work with Lawyers at a Startup

Both Sides of the Table

Shame about not getting it in legal writing that you owned the original IP. Forget to get around to setting up that Employee Stock Option Plan and want to be able to give the early guys their options at a low strike price? Anyone who does IP law in Southern California seems to use Knobbe Martens.

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Some Career Advice for Aspiring Tech CEOs

Both Sides of the Table

There are many companies with phenomenal IP that is truly differentiated but where the original executive team squandered their opportunity due to inability to sell, market or service customers. There is often money to be made in finding places with under-valued IP. I saved my main point for last. ” (Warren Buffett).

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What Can a Startup Lawyer Help With?

The Startup Magazine

Startup lawyers specializing in intellectual property (IP) can help you file relevant patent applications. As soon as your start issuing stock of your company, complying with State and Federal Securities Regulations is mandatory. What would your startup be without your invention innovative idea?

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Lockdown Lost-Founder IP

The Startup Lawyer

Thus, it’s wise to lock down your startup’s IP early to prevent the lost founder problem. How to Lock Down the IP. Consideration for services rendered should be given to all developers and consultants that work on anything IP-related at your startup. Consideration can also be cash. Conclusion.

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How Great, Operationally-Focused CFO’s Can Transform Your Business

Both Sides of the Table

than to have to deal with healthcare benefit options, vacation policies, health-and-safety regulations and so forth. Stock option top-ups after a few years are vital retention mechanisms. Legal threats from other IP holders? Yet being a buttoned up company requires all this. And it turns out that employee reviews matter.

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Bad Notes on Venture Capital

Both Sides of the Table

Less than you’ll probably grant your most junior employees in stock options? Stock Option plans. How do you think they’ll feel if your next round is at a $50 million post money valuation and their hard-earned $25,000 is worth 0.05% of your company? Him: Not so good. Obviously he’d be pissed off.

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Legal Checklist for Startups

Scott Edward Walker

Button-down IP ownership and assignment issues (see post here ). Don’t issue stock options unless a proper option plan is in place and a valuation has been done in compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (see post here ).