FAQ: What startups should know about the U.S. crowdfunding bill

December 5, 2011 10:48 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

On November 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2930 (the “Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act”), a crowdfunding bill that will allow startups to offer and sell securities via crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, as well as social networking sites …

The legal checklist every startup should reference

October 25, 2011 12:44 PM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

I’ve been a corporate lawyer for more than 17 years, and there are certain fundamental legal mistakes that I’ve seen startups repeatedly make (many of which surface when investors are conducting their due-diligence investigation).

Accordingly, I thought it would be …

Four deadly legal mistakes startups make

September 26, 2011 12:14 PM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

A reader asks: My co-founders and I are working on a cool new site, and we’ll be ready to launch in a few weeks. I’ve been reading a lot on the web about incorporation and other legal stuff. We have …

Demystifying the VC term sheet: The investors’ option to walk

September 12, 2011 6:00 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Scott Edward Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC, a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

For the past few months, I’ve been exploring some …

Should you use an investor’s lawyer?

August 29, 2011 6:00 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Scott Edward Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC, a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks:  We’re a startup based in Palo …

Fight! Fight! Are you liable when your employees and customers mix it up?

August 8, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar
Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks: I am starting a company that will put my employees in contact with customers in social situations.  …

Where are the lines in employee surveillance?

July 25, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar
Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks:  I have had theft of trade secrets in my office.  Can I install video cameras or other …

What are the rights of minority stockholders?

July 18, 2011 6:00 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Scott Edward Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC, a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

For the past few months, I’ve been discussing the …

Where should you incorporate your LLC?

July 11, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar
Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks:  What is the best state to incorporate an LLC?  I have a plan for a website in …

Demystifying the VC term sheet: Redemption rights

July 4, 2011 6:00 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Scott Edward Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC, a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

For the past few months, I’ve been exploring some …

4 legal pitfalls startup owners must face

June 27, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar
Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks: What types of legal issues do I need to consider when starting my company and how much …

How to launch a startup and avoid ending up in jail

June 20, 2011 6:00 AM Scott Edward Walker
Scott Edward Walker

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Scott Edward Walker is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate Law Group, PLLC, a law firm specializing in the representation of entrepreneurs. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

One of the most enjoyable (and sometimes complicated) part …

Cut-and-pasting legal language vs. hiring a lawyer

June 13, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar
Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks:  I have a website and can’t afford a lawyer to draft up essential legal notices.  I have …

How legal is content scraping?

May 30, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks: I have a business in which we scrape content from other websites to our website.  Do we …

Not every contract is set in stone

April 4, 2011 6:00 AM Curtis Smolar

Guest Post

(Editor’s note: Curtis Smolar is a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley. He submitted this column to VentureBeat.)

A reader asks: I have a contract with a company coding my website. During work, emails flew back and forth. She …