NDA: What it Means for Startups
It’s possible that you’ve heard stories about startups having their intellectual property stolen by competitors or larger companies because they didn’t have a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in place before discussing their ideas. Although this can happen, it’s not very common. So, when should you ask someone to sign an NDA? Is it necessary to send…
The CIIA Agreement: A Startup Guide
The Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (CIIAA) is critical for any startup or technology company that wants to protect its intellectual property and confidential information. Sometimes referred to as a Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreements (PIIAA) or Tech Assignment Agreement, this is an underrated but essential agreement for every startup founder and employee….
How to Draft Terms of Service for Startups
If your company operates an online website, app or service, you need a Terms of Service (ToS) agreement. A ToS agreement, sometimes referred to as Terms and Conditions (T&C) or Terms of Use (ToU), is an agreement that outlines the rules and guidelines that users must agree to in order to use a website, application…
Does My Startup Need a Privacy Policy? If So, What Should It Include?
If your startup collects any data from its users, even a simple email collection for your newsletter, you must have a Privacy Policy in place. A Privacy Policy outlines what data your startup collects and how it is used. This information helps users understand what they’re agreeing to when they sign up for your service…
Can’t My Startup Just Copy Someone Else’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy?
The short answer: No, you should not copy and paste another company’s terms of service (ToS) and privacy policy (PP). Reviewing the ToS and PP of a similar product may be a helpful part of your drafting process. But you should definitely work with legal counsel to draft a ToS and PP. If you’re looking…
GDPR Basics: What Startup Founders Should Know
If you’re a U.S. startup, you may be confused as to whether the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to you. This article is a comprehensive guide to the GDPR and its implications for businesses that collect personal data from European Union (EU) citizens or offer products to the EU. The GDPR is a regulation…
What Are the Startup Best Practices for Data Privacy?
Data privacy can feel overwhelming for startup founders and operators, but it doesn’t have to. By utilizing the tips below for data privacy, startups can build trust with customers, comply with regulations and foster sustainable growth. Additionally, startups can differentiate themselves in a competitive market and establish themselves as responsible and trustworthy businesses. However, data…
Data Privacy Laws: Everything You Need to Know
Data privacy has become an increasingly important issue as businesses are collecting and processing vast amounts of personal information on their customers. In the United States, data privacy laws are complex and vary across different jurisdictions and industries, with a patchwork of federal and state laws addressing different aspects of data privacy. This article provides…
Data Breach: The Risks for Early Stage Startups
Data breaches are becoming increasingly common, and it’s not just the major corporations that are at risk. Startups can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can have significant consequences, including loss of customer trust and loyalty, reputational damage, legal and financial penalties, and difficulty securing funding. Therefore, it’s essential for startups to prioritize cybersecurity. In this…
Startup Licensing Agreement: How to Monetize Your IP
If you’re thinking about licensing your intellectual property, such as software, it’s important to understand the key provisions of a licensing agreement. A licensing agreement is a legal contract between a licensor, who owns intellectual property, and a licensee, who is granted permission to use that intellectual property. Licensing agreements are also an important aspect…
