A comprehensive look at IP assignment agreements. We break down the complex legal jargon into actionable steps for early-stage founders.
What I've Learned From 97 Companies
Across 234 angel investments, including Anthropic, a few patterns in IP assignment agreements come up again and again.
The founders who handle IP assignment agreements well understand that most founders overthink this and underspend on execution.
The Framework That Actually Works
Here is a simple framework for evaluating IP assignment agreements. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: your team matters more than your technology
This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: the data tells a different story than your gut
Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly
Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies that get IP assignment agreements right treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
Lessons From the Trenches
I want to share a few specific lessons I've picked up over the years. These aren't theoretical. They come from real companies, real failures, and real successes.
Lesson 1: The best time to start thinking about IP assignment agreements was yesterday. The second best time is now. Don't wait until you have the perfect plan.
Lesson 2: Hire for attitude, train for skill. The best people at IP assignment agreements are rarely the most technically gifted. They are the most curious and persistent.
Lesson 3: Your competitors are probably getting this wrong too. That's your opportunity. While everyone else is following the same playbook, you can zig when they zag.
This connects to broader themes around IP protection, founder agreements, startup law that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
What's Next
Best practice in IP assignment agreements is changing fast. What worked last year might not work next year. That's both the challenge and the opportunity.
My advice: stay curious, stay humble, and stay close to the people who are actually doing the work. Read less thought leadership and do more experiments. Talk to fewer consultants and more practitioners.
If you're building in this space, the best time to get IP assignment agreements right is before you need to. Don't wait for a crisis to force your hand.
I'll keep sharing what I learn. This stuff matters too much to keep to myself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How can I apply this thinking to my own situation?
Start by identifying the core principle behind the opinion, not the specific example. Then ask yourself: does this principle apply to my context? If yes, test it in a small, low-risk way before going all in.
Q:How has this view evolved over time?
My thinking on most topics has changed significantly over the years. Early in my career, I held many conventional views that experience proved wrong. I try to update my beliefs when the evidence changes.
Q:Do all experts agree with this view?
No, and that's fine. The best ideas in business are often contrarian. I share my perspective based on my experience and data, but I encourage you to seek out opposing viewpoints and form your own conclusions.
Q:What's the most common pushback you get on this?
People often push back by citing exceptions or edge cases. And they're usually right that exceptions exist. But building a strategy around exceptions rather than patterns is a losing game for most founders.