Questions regarding all matters related to ownership and rights to intangible assets such as art, software, designs, etc.
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How long would my previous employer have to sue me, claiming intellectual property rights on an iPhone app I wrote?
I was reading this thread -
If I'm working at a company, do they
have intellectual property rights to
the stuff I do in my spare time?
It has some great answers to a question I felt ...
0
votes
3answers
174 views
Intellectual Property question about version 1.0 of a web app
What is the motivation for small companies to release version 1.0 that has the most important features that define the application? Couldn't a bigger company just replicate these features over the ...
1
vote
1answer
168 views
We have a well-established trademark - how safe is it to let its registration lapse?
I work for a company called New Internationalist ( http://www.newint.org/ ). We've been trading under that name since 1973, and have a registered trademark for the name which has recently lapsed. The ...
1
vote
1answer
450 views
Can I name my website the same as someone else's if it already exists?
If I own DomainName.com but someone else with DomainName.info already has a site named "Domain Name," am I allowed to call my site "Domain Name" as well?
1
vote
2answers
133 views
Legality of using idea developed while a consultant
Before I go ahead on put much effort into a startup idea I have, I wanted to know if anyone could direct me to legal resources/opinions on using ideas developed while consulting for a company as the ...
1
vote
2answers
148 views
What are the legalities concerning supporting open source software?
For the last couple months, I have been building small HTPCs with a variety of software on them, tailored to what my customers (so far just my friends) want.
There is a market there, but I'm ...
0
votes
1answer
393 views
How to minimize risk of software copyright infringement claims
I had a software developer create a software program, which I copyrighted and then assigned to a software company (and LLC) that I co-founded. I plan to sell the program to the general public.
Then ...
1
vote
2answers
187 views
What does IP mean in Digital medium
From my understanding of Paul Graham's Article http://paulgraham.com/msftpatent.html, IP doesn't have much affect on digital products/services. For example, youtube, tinyurl, groupon, kickstarter all ...
0
votes
2answers
271 views
Would I have to patent my computer systems in order to produce them and sell them to markets?
Would I have to patent my computer systems (such as desktops and laptops) in order to produce them and sell them to markets? Similar to Dell and HP would operate.
1
vote
1answer
441 views
What is the best and least expensive way to trademark and patent your business IP internationally?
I am working on a start-up company to grow to become a big company to compete against some well known, popular, and in some ways powerful companies in the respective industries and markets today. I ...
3
votes
1answer
473 views
Once my trademark has been registered, how often do I need to pay a fee/check in on it?
I can't seem to get a straight answer when I call the USPTO
5
votes
7answers
201 views
New startup advice
I work for a church here in California as a gfx designer. 8 months ago I had an idea for a web service we could use at the church I work at. I spoke to my pastor (boss) about the idea and he said ...
4
votes
4answers
3k views
Joint Software Development Agreement – how to set up IP ownership?
I’ll be entering into a joint development software project with 2 other companies. I’m considering how best to deal with the intellectual property ownership.
I suppose one company could be the ...
4
votes
4answers
217 views
Start-up IP dispute in Canadian Corp
I'm currently in an intellectual property dispute over software I developed in a new start-up (Canadian corp). It was written under the false pretense that I would have 25% ownership of the company, ...
6
votes
8answers
2k views
Does my employer really own my new idea?
I am currently employed as a director of a UK-based software development company, but am considering setting up a new company for an idea that I conceived recently. My idea is software-based but for a ...
15
votes
7answers
2k views
Is it worth it to register a trademark for a software product that I am developing?
I am working on a new software product, it is a web-based contact manager and I would like to know if I should register the name as a trademark? is it worth it? and if so, should I do it myself or ...
7
votes
2answers
307 views
When looking for a technical co-founder, how to protect IP?
I understand the process of looking for a technical co-founder may involve interviewing several people, some of which won't be a good fit, or won't have the right credentials or life situation, etc. ...
1
vote
2answers
312 views
How can I determine if someone owns the intellectual property rights to a word game?
I found a really cool word game that I would like to implement as a mobile app, though I don't if anyone owns the right to the concept. I know there are many games out there, such as Poker or ...
0
votes
3answers
149 views
Distribution contract review rates and services
I would like to have a distribution contract reviewed by a lawyer specialized in worldwide intellectual property, to ensure that the contract is fair for all parties involved.
I asked to one lawyer ...
7
votes
10answers
3k views
How do you protect the key features of your product without a patent?
I'm working on improving an old web based product but afraid that my idea will be copied by the bigger players. For example, let's say I build an improved a web-based task management software but ...
1
vote
4answers
548 views
I'm developing software, but I'm not the programmer. What steps would you recommend I take to protect the IP throughout the development stages?
I have an idea for an app, but I have no background in programming. How would you recommend I select my programmer, and what steps should I take along the way to protect the IP? At this point, all I ...
0
votes
3answers
187 views
IP and legal issues around use of some technologies
PS: i am naive if not zero when it comes to what it means to start or run a startup. So, please bear my question.
i am very passionate to work on some of my ideas but i am always let down by the ...
4
votes
6answers
527 views
A question about selecting the right co-founder
7 months ago I thought of a great idea for a website. I enrolled in an intro to entrepreneur class at school and I created a business plan with financial statements. I have been working with a ...
6
votes
5answers
590 views
Trademarks: do I need to register them in every country?
We are selling a product internationally through our e-commerce based in Hong Kong and were wondering if our Hong Kong trademarks have any legal power in other jurisdictions.
If not, do we really ...
1
vote
3answers
143 views
A question(s) about IP in a 'Web 2.0' startup
I'm laying the groundwork for what might ostensibly be considered a 'Web 2.0' startup. While I think that I might have some protectable IP, I think that these are not necessarily fundamental to the ...
2
votes
1answer
456 views
What are intellectual property warranties and when should they be used?
What are intellectual property warranties and when should they be used?
I found this site: "IP Warranty, Indemnity, or both?" however, it is still not clear to me exactly what they are and how they ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Intellectual property - Employee Agreement
I work for an employer in the recruitment advertising industry and I'm pretty sure I've signed an agreement that mentions my employer has rights to intellectual property for anything I work on while ...
3
votes
4answers
508 views
Startup organization before incorporation
I'm beginning a startup at my school. Right now its just me doing all the work, but i am gathering a team that will ideally be my co-founders. I wont be incorporating any time soon, but i will be ...
