All legal aspects of a business including incorporation, intellectual property and contracts
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Naming your company/product after a Google Productm literal naming
Hypothetical, to protect the innocent :)
Let's say Google has a product called "Stock Manager". Technically, they call it "Goole Stock Manager". After a trademark search turns up 0 results for ...
0
votes
3answers
238 views
How to secure your the name of your jewelry line?
Recently, I started a jewelry business. I have a name, the product, a shopping cart,a blog, and a facebook page. However, I would like to know how do I secure this name to make sure that nobody else ...
1
vote
2answers
391 views
Competitor using our registered trademark in marketing materials; competitor is outside US
My name is Ryan Spahn and operate a start-up called, http://Sleep.FM - The Social Alarm Clock.
Recently via blog posts I saw a competing iPhone app(competitors are outside of US where we have not ...
2
votes
4answers
271 views
Worth of an agreement by email
Whats a commision agreement sent by email from a client to a sole trader worth if things go pear shaped?
1
vote
4answers
306 views
Would you need an online gambling license that uses virtual money that can be exchanged to products/services?
Let's say the online casino is using some virtual currency, which you can buy with real money via credit card. The users may exchange those virtual funds for products or services, instead of cashing ...
5
votes
5answers
669 views
Licensing. How to for a SaaS
We are currently developing a SaaS based software service and offer it to our customers as a monthly/yearly contract basis.
So in essence, they will pay us to host/maintain their stuff on our ...
3
votes
4answers
395 views
What's the best way to execute a provisional patent filing?
I'm working on getting a SaaS start-up off the ground. Right now I'm focusing on building a "launch-able" prototype to help me in conversations with potentials partners and investors.
Some of the ...
0
votes
5answers
234 views
What's the most important thing that startups should know about tax (in the US)?
Tax is a strange thing to deal with. What's the most important thing that incorporated startups in the US should know about tax?
2
votes
1answer
166 views
One LLC for several services
I own an LLC that I set up for a vending business. However, I didn't pursue it, and now I would like to change it to a mobile eco friendly car wash and also a going out guide/promotions website. Could ...
2
votes
5answers
319 views
Did you use an incorporation service? What service did you use?
There are a good amount of services that help you incorporate your startup for S Corp, C Corp or LLC, like Incorporate.com and Agents & Corporations. They help you put together the documents you ...
2
votes
5answers
147 views
Hiring an Interim CEO
Can a person be hired as Interim CEO on a fixed term contract for 3 to 6 months?
2
votes
4answers
224 views
Any good guides on starting out as consultant?
Okay, so my reason for wanting to become a consultant is so it's easier for communication between my clients and future clients. Right now, I've sold myself as a 3 employee start up company, but ...
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
5answers
209 views
Identified a problem, me and a friend came up with a solution, moved apart (cross country), I continued working on the project, he did not
I moved abroad for 6 months and one day me and my roommate identified a problem and came up with an idea for the solution. I thought it was brilliant and immediately started brainstorming, we checked ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
Protections for minority shareholder in SHA (shareholders agreement)
We are in early startup phase. One founder has a big majority stake and we are co-founders with small 5 minority stake. We have good relations and we are happy with the stakes, but we would like to ...
5
votes
4answers
5k views
Signing an NDA as an individual, not a company
I feel my question is silly, mainly because I am unaware of the English legal terms.
I am in the process of (legally) forming a small company for videogame development. I have created a game which I ...
2
votes
4answers
245 views
Can you be forced out before the cliff?
If your founder's contract has a "cliff", can the other founders decide to force you out before that cliff or do you have to quit to lose all your equity?
0
votes
2answers
187 views
Feasibility of this type of iPhone app
Let's say I create a mobile application that contains a "Top 100" list of local restaurants. Value-adds may include directions, integration with OpenTable, and links to the restaurant menu, among ...
3
votes
3answers
344 views
First steps to starting an LLC?
I would like to get advice from others on what steps I should take before starting an LLC. I want to offer software development services through my company, and just want some pointers on things I can ...
1
vote
1answer
698 views
Starting a LLC on a non-immigrant visa
I am on H1 visa and my spouse is on L1 visa. We both have EADs from my green card filing. We would like to maintain our visa statuses.
Given this scenario, is there a way for us to register a LLC, ...
1
vote
2answers
369 views
Foreign Incorporation utilizing USA
I'm a Canadian citizen living in Canada and I've been investigating putting together a US-based corporation. My partner is a US citizen, but it appears that it will be difficult for me to be able to ...
4
votes
5answers
700 views
When should I register a LLC/S Corp?
I currently have a website in beta. I am not earning anything (for now) with this site. It doesn't have terms of service or the privacy policy listed on it.
It appears that some people's opinion is ...
4
votes
3answers
305 views
How do I find a good lawyer?
I am bootstrapping a startup and need legal help with:
Creating terms of service and privacy policy
Registering the business
Consult for advice whenever needed
Do you suggest:
Finding an online ...
1
vote
3answers
147 views
Already have a INC. but I'm starting a new unrelated business, do I need to incorporate again?
I currently run a travel service that is an S corporation. I will be launching a new online business in the summer that will feature coupons for my local community.
Do I need to file for an LLC for ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
Does New York have a law that forbids companies from selling gift certificates that expire in one year?
I recently read that Groupon was sued because Illinois law forbids companies from selling gift certificates that expire within five years. Does New York have a similar law? If they do, what is it?
...
3
votes
3answers
285 views
What is the process required/recommended to convert a website into an LLC?
Given that I have a website that is making revenue, live in California, and would like it to be claimed under an LLC, what is the process to accomplish this? Should I be forming a sole proprietorship ...
8
votes
3answers
320 views
Have you had actual legal issues in a startup?
In getting started we all take shortcuts. I'm thinking about when we:
hire employees without having employee manuals or making them agree that they are at-will employees
enter into an agreement ...
3
votes
4answers
476 views
Bylaws for a startup corporaton
Are there any resources to help a startup to customise their bylaws?
Often when one uses a service to form a corporation they provide a boiler plate set of bylaws as part of the package, but I would ...
7
votes
8answers
569 views
My startup is going to be crushed by my employer
I have created a startup around an idea that I have begun working on a few months ago.
Now my main employer has inadvertently started working on a project that is almost exactly the same and want me ...
0
votes
1answer
1k views
Are there any FCC rules and regulations for a bluetooth device built in another country but schematics and designs belonging to the company here in the US?
Are there any FCC rules and regulations for a bluetooth device built in another country but schematics and designs belonging to the company here in the US? Is there some kind of inspection one must go ...
2
votes
6answers
5k views
Is there a patent on Groupon.com?
I am thinking about starting a niche collective buying website in the US that is similar to Groupon.com
Is Groupon patented? Is it legal to create a competitor website?
2
votes
3answers
272 views
Any lawyer/firm recommendation for bootstrapped startup?
I have created a website with no investors and won't be making any money off the site any time soon. How ever I want to protect my home and other assets before launching & need help with forming ...
1
vote
5answers
211 views
What is your opinion about start-ups adding legalese to email?
In the open, transparent Web 2.0 world should start-ups copy big public corps use of email legalese like the following for possible future protections, or does this send the wrong message about the ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
New brand under a DBA for a separate division in the company
We have a new web-based application that is due to launch towards the end of the summer. It has its own domain name, of course, but is really not related to the core of the business or our current ...
2
votes
2answers
128 views
Sending money to users
I'm considering building a system that allows our users to purchase points, trade them between themselves, then cash them in for real currency.
The system will work like this:
User A buys points - ...
6
votes
6answers
5k views
Delaware LLC, one person, internet-only business; Do I need to register as a foreign corporation?
This seems like a straightforward, common question that would not require a lawyer to answer, but I'm having a lot of trouble finding an answer to the question in the title.
I would like to form an ...
2
votes
5answers
269 views
When do I worry about the legal stuff?
I heard somewhere that you don't have a business unless you are making money and you need to worry about legal stuff only then. Is this true?
Am I eventually going to need to get help with terms ...
3
votes
3answers
808 views
Startup LLC, tax time HELP, anyone?
I registered my company as an LLC last February(2009). Since that time, I've had a lot of expenses, but no revenue because it's not quite completely up and running.
How should I file my taxes now? ...
0
votes
1answer
493 views
How to open a graphics and animation company in India?
I am gathering information on how to set-up and run a graphics and animation company in India for mostly overseas clients. What is the overall procedure? What permits and licenses are required by law? ...
3
votes
5answers
465 views
What's the best way to structure software contracts for small projects?
What are the proper incentives, and workflow processes, for contract development?
17
votes
7answers
866 views
What can you do when someone blatantly plagiarizes an entire blog post?
It's nice when folks quote parts of your post with a link back. It's another thing when the entire RSS entry is duplicated verbatim, including my "Retweet" buttons and the "Please leave a comment" ...
0
votes
2answers
54 views
Legal Question: Photograph Licensing
A partner and I had a marketing firm many, many years ago. He and I with some contractors as needed. Very small. We set it up as a C Corp I believe (checking with him to be sure).
We featured work ...
1
vote
1answer
163 views
Initial Agreement
I've come to an employment agreement with a startup company and they've sent me a copy of our agreement to look over and sign. I can't afford to get a lawyer to take a look at it, but I would like to ...
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 ...
2
votes
3answers
222 views
Online Startup Location in Regards to Tax?
I understand you can incorporate in other states for legal/tax advantages. Suppose I wanted to stay in-state for now. Can I claim my business is in a nearby city for tax purposes, using a PO Box? The ...
2
votes
1answer
168 views
Time and money for early-stage merger (or acqusition) of companies?
How much time and money does an early stage merger take?
I have an unfunded startup. I am talking to a company that has completed their Round A.
It seems like they might want to acquire / merge with ...
2
votes
4answers
438 views
New Social Networking Site, help with Liability Insurance please
I'm about to launch a new website business. I'm incorporate as an LLC but the site is not quite finished yet. I hope to launch it soon. Currently, I don't have any employees.
However, I realize I ...
2
votes
2answers
136 views
Legal name of business
If you own a company which is held by holding company, how do you write the legal name of the company in documents and legal papers? Do you just include the name you do business as or also include ...
1
vote
2answers
215 views
Is it possible for a teen to form an LLC or C-Corp?
Is it possible for a teen to form an LLC/C-Corp? If so, what are the costs, the process and the requirements?
I'm a US Citizen but currently live in Bosnia. I'm 17, turning 18 on December 2nd.
0
votes
2answers
325 views
Do Start-ups Need Cost Effective and Rapid Patent Services
My partner and I, after many years of researching and inventing, became patent agents and formed an LLC. Our business model is based on start-ups that need patents and trademarks but can't afford the ...
