IP Assignment

Also called Assignment of IP and Invention Assignment

An agreement transferring intellectual property created by a founder, employee, or contractor to the company, so the business, not the individual, owns the work.

Why it matters

Unassigned IP, code written by a contractor who still owns it, is a classic deal-killer in diligence. Getting proper IP assignment from everyone who builds anything, from day one, is basic hygiene that protects fundraising and exits.

For example

A freelance developer signs an IP assignment so the login system they built belongs to the company, not to them, avoiding a diligence disaster later.

Worth your time

Confidentiality and IP Assignment Agreement Template (India) Startup India · guide A ready-to-fill IP assignment and confidentiality agreement, the exact document that keeps a contractor's or employee's work owned by the company.

Related terms

Intellectual Property Copyright Founders' Agreement

Go deeper

See how founders actually handle this on Co-founders, team and legal, part of the Starting Up hub.

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