Employment IP Agreements

Secure your company's intellectual property from day one with clear ownership agreements for employees, contractors, and co-founders.

What We Offer

Employment IP Solutions

Invention Assignment Agreements

Pre-employment agreements ensuring that all inventions, discoveries, and innovations created during employment — whether patentable or not — are automatically assigned to the company, with proper consideration and prior invention carve-outs.

Work-for-Hire Agreements

Agreements establishing that creative works (software, designs, documentation, content) produced by employees or commissioned from contractors are owned by the hiring party from the moment of creation under copyright law.

Non-Compete & Non-Solicitation

Carefully scoped restrictive covenants that prevent departing employees from competing directly or poaching clients and colleagues — drafted to be enforceable under state-specific laws including California's general non-compete ban.

Contractor IP Agreements

IP ownership clauses for independent contractors, freelancers, and agencies — ensuring that deliverables, source code, designs, and innovations produced under contract are properly assigned to your company.

Co-Founder IP Agreements

Founder IP assignment agreements that transfer all pre-incorporation IP into the company, establishing clear ownership before fundraising — essential for investor due diligence and avoiding future disputes.

Departure & Transition Agreements

Exit agreements that reinforce IP obligations, confirm return of company property and data, establish ongoing confidentiality duties, and clarify post-employment restrictions — protecting your IP when key employees leave.

Key Benefits

Why Choose VISHARA IP

Investor-ready IP assignment structures that pass due diligence

State-specific enforceability analysis for restrictive covenants

Comprehensive coverage for employees, contractors, and co-founders

Prior invention and personal project carve-outs that retain top talent

FAQ

Common Questions

Yes. Under U.S. copyright law, the work-for-hire doctrine applies differently to employees and contractors. Employee works are automatically company-owned, but contractor works require a written agreement to transfer IP rights. We draft role-specific agreements for each category.
No. States like California, North Dakota, and Oklahoma generally prohibit employee non-competes. Other states enforce them with varying restrictions on duration, geography, and scope. We draft agreements tailored to the specific jurisdiction and provide alternatives like garden leave clauses where non-competes are unenforceable.
Many states (including California, Delaware, and Illinois) have laws protecting employee inventions made on personal time using personal resources. We include prior invention disclosure schedules and personal project carve-outs that comply with these laws while still protecting your core business interests.

Secure Your Company's IP Today

Don't let IP ownership gaps threaten your business. Get comprehensive employment IP agreements that protect your innovations from day one.

Protect Your IP