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What Is General Counsel and Why Do Startups Need It?
GeneralCounsel (GC) refers to a company’s primary legal advisor - the attorney orlegal team responsible for managing legal, governance, and compliance mattersthat impact the whole business. In a startup, a GC helps founders balance riskand growth by providing legal strategy that aligns with business goals. Theyhelp ensure decisions are legally sound, corporate governance is in place, andregulatory obligations are met as the company scales.
Why Monthly Legal Subscriptions Are Replacing Traditional Law Firms
Over the past few years, businesses across the United States have started rethinking how they work with lawyers. The old model of hourly billing often created stress, unpredictability, and hesitation. Many companies waited to call their attorney until a problem became serious because they were worried about what the bill would look like later.
8 Legal Tips When You Start a Business
So you’ve decided to start a new business, time to make a to-do list. There are several important steps to complete to ensure that your business is properly established and meets legal requirements. We’re here to help make sure you get all your boxes checked off correctly.
FAQs
Open allIt depends on the agreement. Without clear terms, disputes often arise over whether the licensee or licensor owns enhancements.
They can be flat fees, per-user charges, or revenue-based percentages. Audit rights are critical to confirm accurate reporting.
Exclusivity can motivate partners but carries risk. If granted, tie exclusivity to performance obligations like sales targets or minimum royalties.
Selling transfers ownership permanently, while licensing allows others to use your IP under defined terms while you retain ownership.
Exclusivity can motivate partners but carries risk. If granted, tie exclusivity to performance obligations like sales targets or minimum royalties.
Selling transfers ownership permanently, while licensing allows others to use your IP under defined terms while you retain ownership.
Yes, but only if termination rights are included. Contracts should cover notice periods, treatment of unsold inventory, and customer transition plans.
They should state that your startup retains ownership of all IP, while the distributor only gets limited rights to sell your product.
Exclusivity can motivate strong performance but is risky if the distributor underdelivers. Consider tying exclusivity to sales targets.
A reseller agreement usually involves buying and reselling at a markup, while a distribution agreement often grants broader rights to market, sell, and support products in a defined territory.
Yes, but only if your agreement allows it. Ensure your contract includes termination rights and addresses ownership of tooling and designs so you can move production.
Include strict IP ownership and confidentiality clauses, use dual-language contracts, and consider arbitration in neutral jurisdictions to enforce rights.
Your agreement should outline inspection rights, rejection procedures, and remedies such as refunds, replacements, or penalties.
They protect your startup by setting clear standards for quality, ownership, liability, and delivery. Without one, you risk disputes, defects, and loss of control over your product.
They protect your startup from disputes over scope, missed deadlines, unexpected costs, confidentiality breaches, and liability for vendor mistakes.
In most cases, your startup should own the IP produced under the contract. Otherwise, you may only receive a license, limiting your rights.
You can, but vendor-provided contracts usually favor their interests. It’s important to review and negotiate terms that protect your business.
They are often used interchangeably. Both define the terms under which a third party provides goods or services to your startup.
Covered Entities can terminate the agreement, and regulators can impose significant fines for HIPAA violations. Startups risk both legal penalties and reputational damage.
Yes. If you use vendors like cloud hosts, analytics firms, or development shops that access PHI, they may need Sub-BAAs to flow down HIPAA obligations.