Cooley Protect – Patent Resource Center

Create and Protect

Cooley Protect is a free resource designed by Cooley’s patent counseling & prosecution team.

Introducing Cooley GO in Asia

Cooley GO in Asia offers the same free founder-focused legal resources and document generators that the US and UK ecosystems have come to trust.

What is a Section 83(b) Election and Why Should You File One?

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Many founders come to us with questions about Section 83(b) elections. They have often heard in startup circles that they need to file these, but may not understand when it makes sense to do so or what problem the Section 83(b) election solves.

ISOs v. NSOs: What’s the Difference?

Build a Team

Stock options are one of the most common forms of equity compensation that a company can use to incentivize its workforce. When a company issues options to US employees, there are two types it can choose from: incentive stock options (ISOs) and non-qualified stock options (NSOs).

What Foreign Investors Should Know When Investing In India

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With India’s strong ties with Silicon Valley and its maturing tech and startup ecosystem, outside investments in Indian companies are becoming increasingly common. However, the Indian economic and legal regime has some unique characteristics.

Consider Locating Your Startup in an “Opportunity Zone”

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In 2017, Congress created the Opportunity Zone program to encourage investment in economically distressed parts of the United States. While the Opportunity Zone program is primarily focused on providing tax breaks for investors, emerging companies may be able to capitalize on the program as well.

What is Qualified Small Business Stock and Why Does It Matter for You and Your Startup?

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Taxpayers holding qualified small business stock (“QSBS”) may be able to avoid tax on all or part of their gain from the sale of QSBS if certain requirements are met. Because of this, founders should carefully consider qualification for QSBS benefits.

Early Exercisable Stock Options: What You Need to Know

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If you are considering allowing an optionholder to “early exercise” stock options, make sure you understand the basics.

Capital Gains

Glossary Term

Capital gains is a type of income earned from selling a capital asset or security that may be subject to favorable income tax rates.

Share Incentives for Employees of Private UK Companies

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Learn about the various ways in which employees of private UK companies can receive share incentives, such as a grant of options or a direct award.

Secondary Sales of Private Company Stock

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There are several considerations that a private company should take into account when deciding whether to engage in, and how to structure, secondary sales of its stock (also referred to as a liquidity round).

You Never Issued Stock To Your Founders. Is That A Problem?

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This article offers a cautionary tale on the legal and business importance of addressing and documenting founders' ownership interests before incorporation.