Covenant

Glossary Term

A covenant is an agreement to do or not do something in the future.

Restrictive Covenants: What Startups Need to Know

Build a Team

“Restrictive Covenants” is a term used to describe provisions in an agreement that purport to restrict an employee from doing certain things after she leaves the company. Learn more about enforceability and how to spot potential issues with prospective employees.

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.

Trade Secret Management in the United States: Top Ten Mistakes to Avoid

Create and Protect

Whether you are running a startup or leading an established corporation, trade secrets can provide a competitive edge under US law—if handled properly.

Convertible Notes in Southeast Asia and India – What Founders Should Know

Raise

While convertible notes in Southeast Asia and India do feature many of the common U.S. terms such as conversion caps and conversion discounts, this article focuses on the additional terms that are sometimes seen in Southeast Asia and India.

Indemnification in Venture Capital Deals in Southeast Asia and India

Raise

In Southeast Asia and India deals, it’s not uncommon for the company to indemnify the investors against breaches of the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the investment documents.

M&A: Understanding Heads of Terms

Sell

A serious buyer for your company is likely to present you with heads of terms (also known as a letter of intent, memoranda of understanding or term sheet) covering the basic terms on which it proposes to buy your company.

What You Should Know About Terminating Employment Agreements

Build a Team

What you should be aware of when terminating employment agreements with UK employees.

The ABCs of CIIAAs: Protecting Employee-Generated IP

Create and Protect

Companies seeking to avoid employment disputes and to secure intellectual property rights to their employees’ inventions should make sure that all employees have signed confidentiality and inventions assignment agreements.

Understanding an M&A Term Sheet

Sell

Congratulations! You just received an offer to acquire your company. Here are key concepts that you want to understand before making a deal.

Consider Control and Voting Rights When Making Venture Capital Deals

Raise

Control is a critical component of every venture capital deal. It can be used to dictate desired outcomes or, through “negative controls,” to block undesired outcomes. Negative controls can give the venture investor the right to unilaterally block a variety of corporate actions.

Tips for Onboarding Employees to Early-Stage Companies

Build a Team

Early-stage companies frequently overlook many fundamental legal needs and issues surrounding the onboarding of service providers. Here are a few considerations for early-stage companies as they engage workers, and tips to avoid pitfalls that could lead to significant liability.

Keeping Your Equity: Is Borrowing Money a Better Option?

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Borrowing money is less dilutive than raising money with your equity, and, with the right relationships and precautions, might be a better option.