Legal Questions

Essential legal issues that startups face, including corporate formation, fundraising documentation, founders stock, and board relations.

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.5K Views
FLOSS licensing: should I force copyleft notice in footer?

I'm developing a fairly large web-application with a public-facing JSON REST API, mobile apps for every platform (using AngularJS with Apache Cordova) and specialised e-commerce configurable by...

asked Oct 22 '12 at 19:03
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Stackoverflowuser95
6 points

2 Votes
1 Answers
2.33K Views
How and how much does it cost to I register my startup logo (International)

This may sound as a duplicate of other questions, but the enphasis is International. I've found it neccesary to have a logo at the stage of looking for VC's, among other things. But currently I do...

asked Oct 24 '12 at 18:27
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Quinestor
126 points

1 Votes
2 Answers
2.21K Views
How long does it take for a lawyer to incorporate and organize a startup?

Assuming just the typical documents are made such as shareholder agreement, bylaws, stock purchase agreement, IP agreements, etc.

asked Oct 25 '12 at 06:40
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V B
24 points

1 Votes
2 Answers
2.91K Views
What are the costs of selling digital goods from a EU country to a non EU country?

I am looking to setup a small business selling digital products, that are downloadable and or online questionaires. I want to sell internationally and am a European business. I have a potential...

asked Oct 25 '12 at 21:18
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Jaget
6 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.76K Views
Sample partnership/cofounder contract clause for force-out payment schedule

I'm altering a contract between myself and another individual. The contract defines clauses for forcing another partner out but does not define how percentage of ownership shall be handled. I.e....

asked Oct 26 '12 at 13:26
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Rks
108 points

7 Votes
4 Answers
2.54K Views
Company A wants to hire company B to do some work, I'm a co-founder in both

What are some caveats in this situation? For example, how can I make sure my partners in both companies are happy, and there is no suspicion on their side that I'm tricking both companies to my own...

asked Oct 28 '12 at 03:07
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Mojuba
138 points

0 Votes
1 Answers
2.7K Views
Legality of posting an article on a Facebook Fan Page

I'm tinkering with an idea that has to do with Facebook Fan page. Basically, I'll be using the Facebook API to post a "Fan page status update" with a link on fanpage that people give me the...

asked Nov 1 '12 at 20:36
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Syl
1 point

1 Votes
2 Answers
1.94K Views
Would love some advice on best incorporation for my hardware start-up

I recently started a hardware company and Im in the process of setting up my incorporation. We have zero income at this point, but incurring expenses chiefly product design and material goods to...

asked Nov 2 '12 at 03:11
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User21431
6 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.38K Views
Reasons not to start as an S corporation for a small professional services firm

My understanding is that an S corporation is the easiest for a new firm, and can always be changed to a C corporation later. What are the reasons not to do it this way? The firm under...

asked Nov 3 '12 at 03:29
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Math Attack
106 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.28K Views
Software systems that need certification or approval

I am a self taught programmer and web developer, planning to become an Independent Software Vendor. I am creating a software for Accounting and Inventory Management to sell in my local market....

asked Nov 3 '12 at 22:16
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Metadice
23 points

1 Votes
2 Answers
2.57K Views
Use a law firm to form c corp

Is it necessary to use a law firm to form a Delaware c corp with only 1 owner/shareholder? Can I just do that myself? even though I live in a different state?

asked Nov 4 '12 at 10:07
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Emil
8 points

3 Votes
1 Answers
3.51K Views
Is it "fair use" to refer to names of celebrities/cartoon characters in a game?

We have a game that requires players to refer to a list of celebrity and/or cartoon characters by name. The names simply show up in print alone, along with a short, original description of the...

asked Nov 5 '12 at 08:18
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Old Mc Stopher
135 points

1 Votes
2 Answers
2.35K Views
Where to declare startup officers?

I co-founded a company recently, and we incorporated as a Delaware C-Corp. We listed President/Secretary/etc when filing, but we simply decided CTO, CEO, and CFO. I've heard from others that what...

asked Nov 5 '12 at 14:13
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Kgrover
106 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.08K Views
Minimum Legal Things to do before start pitching around

Imagine I am working on a start up that is at a functional prototype level and so far, I have not registered it anywhere and basically done no legal work whatsoever. Now, I need to be looking for...

asked Nov 5 '12 at 18:30
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I Code
111 points

1 Votes
2 Answers
2.38K Views
Contract signing and signature forgery

When signing a contract, how can we make sure the other party's signature is real? what if that person scribbles some random signature? And if disputes arises he can claim that it was a...

asked Oct 4 '12 at 01:47
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Harry
18 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.1K Views
How to undo trademark hijacking

Say I have a company called Business, and I've been operating under the domain name greatbusiness.com for 2 years. The "tm" symbol is on our logo and elsewhere on our website. Then someone else...

asked Oct 4 '12 at 13:52
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Nolan
8 points

0 Votes
2 Answers
2.57K Views
Alternative to expensive legal contract review?

I have a partnership agreement I'd like a second opinion on, but I can't afford a lawyer right now. What other resources are out there? I've found a web-based contract review site that uses...

asked Oct 6 '12 at 04:13
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Jim
4 points

5 Votes
4 Answers
2.76K Views
What is a good range for the legal fees on first round of investing?

We recently closed a first round of investing for 3 million and paid in excess of 150k for our legal fees. We used a reputable firm and were lead to believe that the costs would be around the 50k...

asked Oct 15 '12 at 22:37
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First Time Enterpreuner
26 points

1 Votes
1 Answers
2.21K Views
How to transfer my one-member LLC to a relative?

I'd like to transfer my one-member LLC to a close relative, and then transfer it back when I don't have visa status problem. After formation of my LLC in DE last year, there is nearly no operation...

asked Oct 16 '12 at 01:15
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Crosssea
6 points

3 Votes
2 Answers
2.7K Views
What does anti-dilution protection mean in a term-sheet?

My question is in the context of a Term-sheet. I want to know what does anti-dilution preferences mean?

asked Oct 18 '12 at 05:36
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Lisa Howard
116 points