For the full article, http://broadstreettimes.com/best-resources-for-startups/

Before proceeding with securing international rights, a company should assess whether filing for protection is appropriate. Circumstances for determining what type of IP protection is best for a certain company vary, so seeking legal counsel is advisable. Several general questions can help guide the decision, such as whether or not you will be selling, distributing or outsourcing your product abroad, and what the likelihood if of your product being copied overseas. International protection is not inexpensive, and affordability should be a deciding factor. While every care and consideration should be taken in the decision, businesses should keep in mind that since certain actions can bar certain types of protection, it’s in a business’s best interest to consider IP protection as early as possible.

Once you have decided to protect your IP abroad, legal counsel can help you develop an overall protection strategy, conduct due diligence of potential foreign partners, record your U.S.-registered trademarks and copyrights with Customs and Border Protection, and secure and register trademarks and copyrights in the appropriate foreign markets.

As trademarks are territorial and a U.S. trademark does not grant protection in other countries, trademarks must be filed in each country where protection is sought. If a business is seeking trademark protection in numerous countries, it may be expedient to file an application under the Madrid Protocol, which offers trademark protection in many countries, including those beyond the European Union (e.g. Turkey, Iran). Another option for businesses seeking protection in several countries is a CTM, which must be applied for and provides protection for a trademark in all member countries of the European Union.

Although there is no such thing as an “international copyright” that will protect a work worldwide, most countries offer protection to foreign works under international copyright treaties and conventions. In the case that the work can’t be brought under an international treaty, a country may still offer protection under its national laws. Examples of international copyright treaties and conventions include the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Work, the Universal Copyright Convention, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty; the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, and the Agreement on Trade­Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Since there are still some countries that offer little or no copyright protection to any foreign works, it may be advisable to consult www.copyright.gov for a list of policies specific to each country.

It is important to keep in mind that international protection and U.S. protection can differ in several ways with regards to IP. For example, the U.S. offers arguably less protection of an author’s moral rights than other countries. On the other hand, the fair use defense to copyright infringement under §107 of U.S. copyright law is significantly broader than international fair use exemptions, which have a tendency to be more specific in nature. Since policies can vary between countries, it is always advisable to conduct due diligence for the most up-to-date legal and procedural issues surrounding international protection. Failing to do so may result in product or name infringement and dilution in a jurisdiction where you have no judicial or legal remedies, possibly resulting in devastating economic consequences.

by, Sheheryar Sardar, Esq., Sardar Law Firm LLC*

For more information on contract law, contact: Sardar Law Firm atsardar@sardarlawfirm.com.

Follow Sardar Law Firm on Twitter: @sardarlawfirm

Social media has grown exponentially in the last decade, with enterprising companies creating uncontested market space in the online and digital industries. Whether its new search engines or unique services offered to niche markets within the browsing population, social media has transcended all ages, incomes and geographic regions.   Due to the fast-paced nature of social media, ambitious entrepreneurs often overlook the need for contracts for their business. While staying ahead of the competition is paramount, creating and maintaining contracts will only enhance your edge.

Before you even start a company, or else plan on developing professional relationships with external agencies, prospective partners and employees, it is critical to understand the laws of contract. When there is a dispute, and often there is at least one during the development phase, all parties will look to the contract. As such, having a lawyer on board from the outset will always be an advantage for your business. Here is a brief list of issues to consider:

• Non-Compete Clauses: you want to protect your business by impeding your partners’ or employees’ rights to directly compete with your business if they leave. This would be framed within a specific time period, limited to a geographic area, but is very important because they possess inside knowledge of your competitive advantage.
• Non-Solicitation Clauses: you don’t want your partners or employees soliciting your colleagues or your customers away from your business.
• Non-Disclosure Agreements: NDAs are no unreasonable, so long as the language in the contract is clear on protecting your right to confidentiality.
• Moonlighting and Loyalty: This may or may not be necessary, depending on the nature of your business. A lawyer could assess its need once you discuss your goals.
• Ownership of Intellectual Property: You may want to protect any processes, templates, systems, or methods created by an employee by retaining any IP rights over them. A contract on the outset will provide necessary protections so that work product created under your business does not ultimately go to a competitor.
• Use, Licensing, Technology Transfer: Social media companies will likely need to outsource its products or services through other digital or online mechanisms, usually other companies. Often, partnerships are created to facilitate such business development. In this context, having contracts to protect the use and licensing of your work product, so that it doesn’t leak or be misused, will make your transitions to the next stage much more efficient. Similarly, if you are interested in commercially exploiting your methods, processes or inventions (Technology Transfer), you will need contracts to protect your financial interests.

Spending a little time on developing a legal structure through contracts, while slightly time-consuming, is a real investment in your social media business. Your business will make or break based on the contract, often when you must make strategic decisions for the success of your business. Retaining a contract lawyer will only enhance the probability of that success.

This article was published by Sunshine Suites, here.

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