Getting Started Legally

[skioggi]

4hww readers,

I have read about legalzoom.com and wrote them an email to receive an appropriate response. So far I have purchased a few domain names for blogs and hosted them through bluehost.com. Hopefully others have used them and haven't had any issues. My wife and I have ideas for a few products and also are looking at getting into affiliate marketing and possibly selling our own products. Can we form a start up type LLC that all our ideas begin with and then as they develop, mature, and generate revenue move them to their own entity? I don't understand what we need to do legally and what others have done with regards to LLC's, copyrights, and other legal matters.

Thanks in advance,
Drew

[AlexMoen]

In my opinion, in 90%+ of beginning muse instances, you don't need to form a legal entity before you get started. You can swap and split your entities later on (for a fee), but if you were taken to court, it would complicate matters a lot. I also don't know what your product is, or which state you're residing in, but typically I recommend to sell first, then protect yourself after.

Also, copyrights are presumed to be in action immediately, although you can post it at the bottom of your works for that extra kick. But, it doesn't really matter- your copyright is only as strong as your legal team... Are you going to sue anyone over stealing your information? Not likely, unless you're rich. You'll most likely send a polite message, asking them personally to fix the situation.

[kamakiri]

My best advice: Learn to use the search function of online forums.

[adam.sn]

Check out www.lawdepot.com for contracts if you do need them though! They're great and cheap!

[NickG]

Skiogi, I would just make sure that you have a contract for services that you wrote yourself (simple agreement, you can base it off "contract templates" available via google) or an agreement for purchases (also based on other sites or templates).

You can write a terms of service (templates via google) but it's not necessary. Just have a guarantee and simple agreement (mention that you will NEVER sell their emails) and you'll be fine for starting off. When your LLC has grown to the point where you will need legal documents, you'll be able to easily afford the profession deal. Until then, tackle it entrepreneur style and, so long as you don't screw anyone over or do anything unethical, you probably won't get any legal trouble.

Cheers,
Nick