The IP clauses founders should be able to read

What each one does

Present assignment of inventions. Moves title now, rather than promising to move it later. In employment, consultancy and internship agreements this is the difference between owning your technology and having a claim against someone.

Background versus foreground IP. In collaborations, defines what each side brought and what is created jointly. Without it, pre-existing technology gets entangled.

Publication notice. In research agreements, gives you time to file before a partner publishes. Thirty to sixty days is the usual compromise.

Enforcement rights. In licences, says who may sue, who pays and who controls settlement. Without it an exclusive licensee may be unable to act.

Improvements. Says who owns what the other side develops on top of your technology.

IP indemnity. In supply agreements, whether the supplier stands behind infringement claims - usually they do not, unless negotiated.

Where founders get caught

Templates. A consultancy agreement downloaded from a template site rarely contains a present assignment, and a supply agreement almost never contains an IP indemnity by default. Both gaps only appear when something has gone wrong.

What to actually do

• Check every people agreement for a present assignment, not a promise.
• Negotiate IP indemnities with suppliers before volume commitments.
• Add publication notice periods to every research collaboration.
• Read the enforcement clause in any licence before the royalty clause.