LEGAL
IP, Trademarks, and Confidentiality
Copyrights and Content — What Startups Need to Know
Copyright protects original content like code, marketing, and educational materials. Founders must understand ownership rules and how to secure rights when using outside talent.
Why it Matters
Your startup is constantly generating content: code, designs, slide decks, blog posts, videos. Copyright protects that work automatically — but registration gives you stronger rights and legal leverage.
Founders Checklist
Identify all copyrightable assets (product code, marketing content, visuals)
Ensure creators (employees or contractors) have signed IP assignment agreements
Add copyright notices to public-facing content
Register key works (apps, pitch decks, docs) with the U.S. Copyright Office
Store creation timestamps and version history for dispute protection
Founder Fails
Assumed contractor work belonged to the company > designer retained rights
Forgot to register copyright > couldn’t enforce in court
Used unlicensed third-party image > DMCA takedown + legal threat
When to ask for Help
Before publishing content created by contractors or freelancers
When incorporating third-party media, templates, or code
To register copyright for your product materials
If someone copies your work
When building a content-heavy or creator-based platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s covered by copyright?
A: Any original work fixed in a tangible medium — including:
Source code
Website copy
Illustrations or design assets
Slide decks, blog posts, videos
Q: Is registration required for protection?
A: No — but registration is required if you want to sue for infringement and can help prove ownership. It also enables
statutory damages and attorney fees.
Q: If a freelancer made our graphics, do we own them?
A: Not unless the contract includes a work-for-hire or assignment clause. Without it, the creator retains the copyright.