StartUp Law(Tech)r
Startup Law Resources
Formation
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Cooley GO Formation Docs: https://www.cooleygo.com/documents/incorporation-package/
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Atlas Stripe: https://stripe.com/atlas
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Clerky: https://app.clerky.com/
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Federal Tax ID #: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
Securities Filings/Exemptions
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Overview of Capital-Raising Exemptions: https://www.sec.gov/education/smallbusiness/exemptofferings/exemptofferingschart
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Federal Exemptions Overview: https://support.carta.com/s/article/choosing-federal-exemptions
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Form D Filing:
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Rule 144 / Restricted Securities: https://www.sec.gov/reportspubs/investor-publications/investorpubsrule144htm.html
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Rule 506 / Bad Actor Rule:
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Rule 506(b)of Regulation D Safe Harbor: https://www.sec.gov/smallbusiness/exemptofferings/rule506b
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Regulation S: https://www.pillsburylaw.com/images/content/4/7/v2/476/RobbinsRegS2013.pdf
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Regulation A+: https://www.bassberrysecuritieslawexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/201/2019/02/Regulation-A-FAQs.pdf
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ICO securities exemptions: https://cryptolawinsider.com/ico-securities-exemptions/
Venture Capital Financings
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NVCA Form Legal Agreements: https://nvca.org/model-legal-documents/
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Super Pro Rata Rights: https://www.walkercorporatelaw.com/startup-issues/what-are-super-pro-rata-rights/
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Pro Formas:
Equity
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Granting Equity (Options v. Stock):
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Options:
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ISO/NSO:
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Dilution:
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Rule 701:
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Understanding Your Stock Plan:​
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Certificated v. Uncertificated Shares:
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What Happens to Stock/Options in M&A
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Cashless Conversion/Net Exercise:
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Founders Preferred Stock: https://capitalandgrowth.org/questions/18/why-use-founder-preferred-stock.html
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Transfers / Secondary Sales:
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Offer Letters: https://www.pandadoc.com/ask/is-an-offer-letter-legally-binding/#:~:text=An%20offer%20letter%20can%20be,accept%20you%20into%20the%20fold.​
Venture and Private Equity Funds
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Venture Fund Structures
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Fund Formation Issues: https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba-cms-dotorg/products/ecd/ebk/187594315/1620468_chap1.pdf
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Custody Rule for Registered Investment Advisors: https://www.proskauer.com/blog/sec-clamps-down-on-custody-rule#:~:text=Under%20rule%20206(4)%2D,steps%20to%20protect%20the%20assets.
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Marketing Rule for Registered Investment Advisors: https://www.bakerlaw.com/alerts/top-ten-list-complying-secs-new-investment-adviser-marketing-rule#:~:text=The%20Marketing%20Rule%20broadly%20defines%20%E2%80%9Cadvertisement%E2%80%9D%20as%20any%20direct%20or,advisory%20services%20to%20existing%20clients.
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CFIUS:
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How Does VC Make Money: https://vcstarterkit.substack.com/p/how-vcs-make-money​
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VC Securities Laws: https://thefundlawyer.cooley.com/securities-laws-fundamentals-for-venture-capital-fund-managers/
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Accredited Investors
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Definition: https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2020-191
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Unaccredited Investors: https://www.cooleygo.com/can-you-raise-money-from-unaccredited-investors/
Intellectual Property
- Data Privacy​
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Data Privacy State Comparisons:
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Data Processing Agreement: https://ironcladapp.com/journal/contracts/what-is-a-data-processing-agreement-dpa/
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Licenses:
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Software License Search: https://tldrlegal.com/
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License Comparison Charts:
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Copyleft Licenses (Viral): https://twitter.com/CryptoSources/status/1650500925704871937​
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Trademark Search
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Search on USPTO for trademarks on its “Tess” database: https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search.
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Patents
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Software: https://www.upcounsel.com/software-patent​
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Commercial Contracts:
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Precedent Search:
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Risk Shifting (Limitation of Liability, Indemnification, Reps and Warranties):
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Terms of Use:
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Informing Customers of Updated ToU: ​https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/changing-your-terms-and-conditions-if-21606/
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Website/Domain Name Lookup: https://lookup.icann.org/
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SOC II:
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Tax
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Non-Profit Exemptions:
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QSBS:
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Venture Fund Tax: https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/special-topics/vcpefdeskbook/fundformation/vcpefdeskbook_accommodatingnonusinvestors.pdf
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ERISA:
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Management Rights Letters (MRLs):
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ERISA Liability for Board Members: https://www.paulhastings.com/docs/default-source/PDFs/so_you_think_you_are_safe_-_board_members_and_personal_liability_under_erisa6b17df6923346428811cff00004cbded.pdf
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351 Exchange: https://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2014/jul/clinic-july2014-2.html
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Franchise Tax in DE: https://www.cooleygo.com/so-you-owe-thousands-in-delaware-franchise-tax/
M&A
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Selling Your Company (Cooley Go): https://www.cooleygo.com/selling-your-company-merger-vs-stock-sale-vs-asset-sale/#:~:text=Stock%20Sale-,Summary,contemplated%20by%20the%20acquisition%20agreement.
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Reverse Triangular Merger: https://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2010/01/evading-shareholder-voting-in-a-merger.html>
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280G: https://www.theventurealley.com/2012/09/understanding-section
Bankruptcy
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Fraudulent Transfer: https://www.kslaw.com/attachments/000/008/303/original/What_is_it_Fraudulent_Transfers.pdf?1604329128
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363 Sale: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/valuation/363-sale/
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Safes in Bankruptcy: https://frostbrowntodd.com/when-safes-fail/#:~:text=SAFEs%20are%20junior%20to%20all,trade%20payables%2C%20has%20been%20repaid.
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FDIC Receivership: https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/230312-fdic-bank-receivership-frequently-asked-questions
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Fraud and Liability
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Corporate Counsel: In the Crosshairs of a Criminal Investigation - Maurice Suh: https://www.gibsondunn.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/publications/Suh-CorpCounselInTheCrosshairs.pdf
Random
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Guide to Copyediting Marks: https://nybookeditors.com/2013/06/copyediting-marks/
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Computer Science For Lawyers: https://learning.edx.org/course/course-v1:HarvardX+CS50L+Law/home
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Global Money Management: Moving Money across Borders: https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_international-business/s19-05-global-money-management-moving.html
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Payment Processing Compliance: https://www.rapyd.net/blog/payment-processing-compliance/