Top Ten Legal Issuesfor Entrepreneurs

Brent C.J. Britton12 January 2010

What are Legal Issues?

Legal Issues arethe Right Problemon which to Focus

It’s All Fun and GamesUntil Someone Loses

a Lawsuit

10. Corporate Formation

• form early liability shield asset creation

tax treatment (LLC/corp)Delaware?

9. Founder Relations

• written agreement equity vesting

involuntary departure

8. Investor Relations

• meet the SEC private placement memo

debt or equity?

7. Employee Relations

• written agreement fraternization

policies

6. Customer Relations

• agreements privacy security products

5. Competitor Relations

• antitrust interference

4. Your Intellectual Property

• invention/work/brand/secret

pat/©/®/ts

which? when in doubt: secrecy

3. Their Intellectual Property

• don’t let it in freedom to operate

best defense = good offense

2. The Truth

• cover-ups false advertising disparagement

general

And the number one legal issue for entrepreneurs…

1. Counsel

Thank you