Silicon Valley is a hotbed for innovation and the birthplace of many high-value companies. Inventors, innovators, and companies alike are all seeking to protect their intellectual property, and one of the best protections for inventions is a patent. Below you’ll find an overview of patent basics, how to determine if your invention is patentable, and […]
A lawsuit can be an overwhelming experience for any business owner – particularly if you have not previously had any dealings with the court system. It is not, however, cause to panic. There are many different ways employers can resolve such disputes, such as through litigation, arbitration, mediation, or simple settlement negotiations. The Many Strategies […]
There is no simple, “one size fits all” answer to how many shares you should authorize when you form a corporation. Instead, you will need to discuss your goals with a Silicon Valley corporate lawyer who can help you think through all of the relevant considerations. What are Articles of Incorporation? A corporation’s founders file […]
You have done the hard part; you have come up with a novel idea. The question now becomes how do you turn this dream into a reality? One of the most important first steps is to know how to determine your pre-money valuation. What is a Pre-Money Valuation? A pre-money valuation is the amount of […]
Monthly rent is typically one of the largest operating costs for most businesses, particularly in areas with high rental values such as Palo Alto. However, non-financial terms of a commercial lease also have a direct impact on a business and its bottom line. Because most standard commercial lease agreements tent to favor the landlord, negotiating […]
E-Commerce is everywhere these days. The sale of goods online allows businesses to reach more customers and gives consumers access to a much wider range of products and services than ever before. E-Commerce makes it possible to buy and sell goods on a local, regional, national, and global scale. If your Mountain View-based business or […]
Startups in Silicon Valley are just like startups anywhere else — they depend on strong relationships with investors, employees, and others to get off the ground and expand. Where do legal contracts come into the mix? The best way to safeguard your startup and ensure long-term success as the business grows and evolves is to […]
A board observer is someone who is allowed to attend a board meeting but is not permitted to vote on matters concerning the board. The question becomes – are there any benefits to being a board observer if you don’t get to vote on matters of importance? The simplest answer is “yes.” The benefit is […]
The Electoral College: Stockholders Edition If I were to ask you whether any other system in America aside from its political election system uses an electoral college type system, you would probably say no. You might be surprised to find out that this isn’t exactly the case. The vast majority of those who hold stock […]
With the influx of data breaches and cyber-crime, it essential to make certain that you write a strong, secure privacy policy (SPP). It’s a safe bet that the next time a CEO testifies before Congress on privacy issues, they will be prepared. What is an SPP? If you plan to have an online footprint as […]