Intellectual property refers to the legal protections given to a creative to protect their ideas.

Anything original that someone creates is their intellectual property, and can be protected legally. This could be a song, novel, picture, product etc. If something is your intellectual property, you have the right to use, alter and profit from it. You can also licence your intellectual property to others at your own discretion.

Work for Hire: As an employee, anything you create while employed at a company will belong to the employer.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

An NDA is an agreemet that ensures a confidential relationship between the parties who sign the agreement. The document protects confidential proprietary information and trade secrets. Because of the legally binding nature of the documents, it is important to read through an NDA before signing to ensure everything is in order, and that you understand what you’re agreeing to.

NDA’s are essential when talking with co-workers or clients about an idea which is not yet in creation. In this way the document protects ideas.

Investment and Ownership

When a startup is started, it’s 100% owned by the companies founders. However, for a startup to grow, seed capital is needed to expand, meaning the founders often will offer shares to investors to obtain this.

Its important not to try hold on to all ownership of shares whenever a startup is in need of capital to expand. 100% ownership of nothing is still nothing. Try to maintain ownership of the majority of the shares, try not to sell more that 50%.

Buyback clause—