IP Due Diligence for Startups involves the process of reviewing a startup's intellectual property assets and risks, typically before fundraising or acquisition. While the process itself is usually straightforward, businesses commonly run into avoidable issues along the way. Here are the mistakes we see most often, and how to steer clear of them.
Mistake 1
IP created by early contractors never formally assigned to the company.
Mistake 2
No trademark filed despite the brand already being in active use.
Mistake 3
Domain names registered under a founder's personal name instead of the company.
Mistake 4
Ignoring potential conflicts with existing marks until diligence surfaces them.
How to Avoid These Issues
Most of these mistakes come down to preparation. Having the right documents ready — List of all registered and pending IP assets, Ownership confirmation — especially IP created by founders, employees, or contractors, IP assignment agreements with employees and contractors, among others — and understanding the process before you start goes a long way toward a smooth outcome with standard practice conducted by legal/IP advisors as part of deal diligence.
Quick Reference: What You'll Need
- List of all registered and pending IP assets
- Ownership confirmation — especially IP created by founders, employees, or contractors
- IP assignment agreements with employees and contractors
- Search for potential infringement risks in the business's own branding
Need Help With This?
Leegal's team handles registration, compliance, and advisory work like this end-to-end, with transparent pricing and a dedicated point of contact throughout.
Call: +91 95721 91163 | Email: mail@leegal.in