Questions regarding all matters related to ownership and rights to intangible assets such as art, software, designs, etc.
0
votes
2answers
92 views
What things an entrepreneur should get copyrighted before approaching VCs
What things can be copyrighted of a startup before approaching VCs? I have a very fast growing online venture for which I am going to approach VCs. But I want to make sure they can't use my idea and ...
1
vote
5answers
220 views
Protecting works for being able to prove later “I've done this on this date”
How to protect digitalized works for later prove we've had this and that on that date ?
Example: John Doe wants to protect his works on 2011 to be able to prove in future (let's say 2022) that he has ...
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Am I worrying too much about my IP?
I've spent the better part of the last several years developing a product/algorithm, and although I lack the time/funds to do an exhaustive patent search, I'm 99.99% certain that the algorithm is ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
To what extent are algorithms patentable, especially in the US and Europe?
I'd like to use an algorithm that has been published. It's not a must have for me, but would be convenient. The creator might be difficult to contact, but that's obviously not a reason to do the ...
0
votes
0answers
73 views
How to specify, describe external external project in agreement with Employer? For example in agreement for doing project in spare time? [closed]
Assuming employee (software developer), would like to make an agreement with employer about doing some external project (software) in spare time.
Problem of doing projects in spare time is mentioned ...
3
votes
1answer
198 views
Example of Agreement (template) with Company for doing stuff in spare time
According to related topic:
If I'm working at a company, do they have intellectual property rights to the stuff I do in my spare time?
(and related : Intellectual Property and Side-Projects in ...
3
votes
3answers
121 views
Technology Accelerator or Bootstrapping
I have a few ideas for a company, and plan to get started sometime this fall. I know of an accelerator that focuses on this vertical, and I have contacts there so reaching out to them would be pretty ...
0
votes
2answers
43 views
Intellectual property evaluation
How do I get my intellectual property evaluated?
I have a framework and a software code for a project I am working on.
I talked to a lawyer, with a proper value tag he said that I can invest in a ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
Singleboard/SOC based products and IP laws for a small company
I run a small business in custom software development in Canada, and I think it has gotten to the point where I can release my own product. My question has to do with using existing ...
2
votes
3answers
123 views
Protection Help Bringing a Social-Media Platform to Indiegogo
I'm a 19 year old Canadian, and I've created a unique platform in regards to social media. I'm currently alone in this project and I feel the need to hold it close to me; as I've heard horror stories ...
0
votes
2answers
698 views
CA Labor Code Section 2870, does this apply to out of state employees?
If I live in another state, and work (salary + telecommunte) for a company located in CA, (EA with the usual "Works For Hire Agreement" which states "The Company shall be the sole and exclusive owner ...
2
votes
1answer
211 views
How Should I Deal With Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is a subject that has far reaching implications for your business. There are several different types of intellectual property that every business deals with. They include: ...
1
vote
1answer
44 views
Consulting on work related to future planned product
We recently approached a large company with a proposal to build them an application we thought they'd find useful.
The idea is that they'd partner with us to get it developed and get unlimited use ...
4
votes
5answers
346 views
How do you discourage piracy of your software or IP?
We're reviewing/exploring anti-piracy measures for a new software product. There is a desktop and a web component. What tactics are you using to prevent/discourage piracy of your software and IP?
1
vote
3answers
84 views
Legality of usage of Competitor's Scripting Language
We have a software which supports scripting. One of our main competitors has a software which works in the same way.
I wonder if it is legal for our software to support their properiatery scripting ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
Can employers claim intellectual property even if employee has an LLC? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
If I'm working at a company, do they have intellectual property rights to the stuff I do in my spare time?
I have my own LLC. I created it during my time of ...
0
votes
1answer
77 views
How to incentivise current employer in future startup?
I am currently employed by a company whose core business is not IT-related but I have developed a few applications that are central to some crucial business processes and I want to create a startup ...
0
votes
1answer
77 views
Software IP Ownership
If I have a company that has been building some SAAS for several years. I am now looking to take on another person and give them 40% equity. Were should the IP of the software been maintained? Ideally ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
How to document transfer pricing policy for IP
In Europe, there is enormous tax differences between high tax and low-tax jurisdictions for holding IP (for example 60% for owners of a "3:12" Swedish company vs 5% for a Luxembourg IP company).
So ...
1
vote
2answers
74 views
Intellectual property due diligence when onboarding talent to create IP
When talent is being paid to acquire/create intellectual property, it's been my experience that the standard due diligence is to just have that party sign a contract stating they own the rights to ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
Intellectual property brain dumps and lock downs
I did some consulting for a biotech that had partnered with an SaaS provider that's platform among other things did the following:
Used two-factor authorization for all transactions,
Used a ...
1
vote
1answer
155 views
Acquiring a website with unclear ownership
We want to acquire a website that is driven by a large community and non-profit. Before going to the attorney I want to do my own research on this topic.
The problem is that the ownership of this ...
2
votes
2answers
103 views
Which Country is Suitable for Legal Protection in Game Automation Software Development
After reading today's Gamasutra article about Jagex vs Impulse Software, and considering my own academic activities, I suddenly became very concerned with my legal protection.
As such I would like ...
4
votes
2answers
109 views
Should I transfer the intellectual property of a product to get investors?
I've been working on a new software that could do a nice work on the current market, and I'm trying to get investors to be able to work full time on this project and deliver before the other companies ...
1
vote
2answers
209 views
Taking company's source code away
In general, what penalty do you provide to an employee that takes company Intellectual Property away (violating the non-disclosure agreement)?
What is the best way to protect our bigger value (source ...
2
votes
2answers
111 views
How to avoid idea “contamination” when soliciting advice on a product
We've got a software product going into alpha release and want to invite some super users to test and give feedback. I wonder if there's any sort of steps we should be taking to prevent the issue of ...
3
votes
4answers
227 views
Partnership Gone Bad
For the past 6 months or so I have been working on a project with 2 partners. Here's the breakdown:
Partner 1: Finance, marketing, sales, legal
Partner 2: Product dev, design, branding
Me: Tech, ...
0
votes
2answers
133 views
Licensed software and due diligence: sufficient?
In the process of due diligence for an investment or for M&A, I ask:
Considering that all other software is property of the company, is it sufficient to have a non-core part of the software, ...
0
votes
2answers
115 views
IP: Maintain property over source code
I have code of mine, developed before joining the company as a co-founder, that I used for the company product (website) but want to retain the copyright and all IP rights to it and to be able to use ...
1
vote
1answer
128 views
Side projects while being a co-founder and officer of a company
There is already an awesome question and answers on IP and spare time related to employees:
If I'm working at a company, do they have intellectual property rights to the stuff I do in my spare ...
5
votes
6answers
717 views
How should I leave a startup. I own all their source code
I asked a question recently here, discussing options for what to do in my current situation.
The other co-founders let me know they no longer think I deserve 20%, and I decided it was the last straw, ...
1
vote
1answer
63 views
US intellectual property law - restrictions for a licensor
I am going to acquire a non-exclusive license from an American individual for a software. This software will be used as an integral part in my retail software which is under my own copyright. We have ...
5
votes
3answers
511 views
Intellectual Property (Source Code) Held in Escrow
I work for a start-up company who has a client requesting that we place the source code for our SaaS (software-as-a-service) application in escrow. They're concerned that, as a start-up, the company ...
3
votes
1answer
81 views
How do I get an IP Lawyer as an Advisor
My pre-seed technology startup has developed unique IP which needs protection. The industry we're targeting is run by giants (with tons of IP), so the IP story will play a key-role on the startup. ...
3
votes
6answers
292 views
Former partner is illegally using my IP
I've noticed a former potential partner of mine is using a logo, website design, and company description/mission that I created and retain full ownership of.
Should I just send a simple email ...
1
vote
5answers
343 views
How do I broach the idea of me owning the rights to software when a company is paying me to write it
I am working on a web application that is going into beta test next week for safety engineers, but the company that is paying for it is safety engineers. Ideally, if I had the ownership of the code ...
2
votes
2answers
70 views
How do you approach intellecutal property rights when developping general products for cilents?
We always "reserve the right to re-use any code written for this project" in our contracts with clients. With this in mind, if a later client needs a very similar web app, is it ethical to slightly ...
1
vote
2answers
81 views
Equity sharing for my particular situation
I have read numerous posts and articles on this topic and it is clear there are several schools of thought that involve many shades of grey. I have come to a conclusion but am seeking affirmation from ...
1
vote
4answers
1k views
How to Copyright a Marketing Idea
I have a few marketing idea that I have done some research on and have not been able to find other people who have done them. Since I am not in any businesses that could use the idea I wanted to sell ...
4
votes
2answers
291 views
How long should you keep your idea a secret?
I am a graduating senior in college studying computer science and machine learning. For the past year, I have been working with two other people on what we think is a pretty fantastic idea, offering a ...
4
votes
2answers
550 views
How to protect yourself against the unethical business practices of a competitor like Nuance Communications?
I plan on working in the pattern recognition software industry. Some research into this industry led me to read about a company called “Nuance Communication.” According to this techcrunch article, ...
2
votes
2answers
85 views
Public transit app: possible revenues and IP issues?
I am looking at developing a website sort of like ones that NY-area commuter railroads have, showing train departure times and tracks. One major transit hub near me has no central location for this ...
4
votes
1answer
341 views
How does a joint venture share intellectual property?
There are two companies A, and B, that wish to establish company C.
A is a startup software company that gets 60% in C.
B is a profitable hardware company and gets 40% in C.
This allocation ...
2
votes
5answers
416 views
how to present ideas to a possible future partner without getting them 'stolen'?
I am planning into getting involved in a venture in an asian country.
I have a friend from this country that has an experience in the kind of business I want to be involved in and that has “ built “ ...
12
votes
7answers
19k views
Can I use the logos of other companies on my site?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but can I use the logos of other services and companies on my site? Ie, if I wanted to put up a graphic of some services that relate to local internet marketing, ...
1
vote
1answer
142 views
Valuing intangible assets in an LLC sale
Upon sale of an LLC, how would I express the values of intangible assets the LLC has generated (e.g. certain access rights, processes and procedures, IP, and customer relationships)? These are assets ...
1
vote
2answers
239 views
Interpreting Invention Assignment: what does “is not related” to the company's business mean in employment contracts?
I'm talking about those Invention Assignment clauses in employment contracts (especially with regards to California labor code section 2870)
"Prohibiting employee assignment to an employer of ...
0
votes
2answers
101 views
startup IP against previous company?
I am working as an SEM engineer for a California-based eCommerce company, and I want to leave and start my own SEM company. Are there any intellectual property concerns?
1
vote
2answers
442 views
court precedence on California labor code section 2870
Does anybody know of any actual court cases involving California labor code section 2870 which gives a clear precedence as to how judges would rule in such disputes
(eg. a programmer makes something ...
0
votes
1answer
320 views
How do I protect my innovative product without a patent?
I'm currently building a working prototype of my product for my home business. Without giving too much away, it is a product you can use around the house to make maintenance a lot easier and almost ...
