Writing a business proposal...Need legal help

Fach · 03-09-2004, 12:10 PM

I am just finishing up a business proposal for a technical writing class. I also have to pitch my idea to the class and would like to pass out some copies of the proposal to the class. What I am concerned about is someone taking the proposal home and acting on the idea. I have a blank confidentiality agreement that I could pass out to everyone so they can sign it and I can collect them. But this agreement includes a non-compete clause which may cause more trouble then its worth.

It would be easier to include something right in the beginning of the proposal that says something to the effect of "If you read beyond this point you agree to the following terms...". Does anyone have any generic legal documents that I can include? It is not a big enough project to have a lawyer draft one and I am up against a deadline.

-=C=- · 03-09-2004, 12:15 PM

What you just said about "If you read beyond this point" may or may not work. Someone could argue that they "skipped" that sentence and didn't know it was there...

AC Lerok · 03-09-2004, 12:17 PM

yeah, a notice about reading isn't enough, you need some sort of acknowledgement method there (i.e. signing) or it will hold about as much water as a circa-1987 Bon Jovi mesh halfshirt.

Fach · 03-09-2004, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by -=C=-
What you just said about "If you read beyond this point" may or may not work. Someone could argue that they "skipped" that sentence and didn't know it was there...

I kinda figured that. Anything that I include other than having them physically sign and agree to may not work.

Wilf · 03-09-2004, 12:18 PM

Can't help you but here's something to consider.

Some universities and colleges have regulations saying that THEY own the rights to any intellectual property created for courses. So it may be a mute point if you want something signed, you might not be able to use it yourself

AC Lerok · 03-09-2004, 12:20 PM

run your legalese past the school's legal eagles and see if they'll let it fly. if not, expect your professor to get rich off your ****.

beethoven · 03-09-2004, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wilf
Can't help you but here's something to consider.

Some universities and colleges have regulations saying that THEY own the rights to any intellectual property created for courses. So it may be a mute point if you want something signed, you might not be able to use it yourself

This is very true, so do look into it.

-=C=- · 03-09-2004, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AC Lerok
run your legalese past the school's legal eagles and see if they'll let it fly. if not, expect your professor to get rich off your ****.

DOH!

Fach · 03-09-2004, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wilf
Can't help you but here's something to consider.

Some universities and colleges have regulations saying that THEY own the rights to any intellectual property created for courses. So it may be a mute point if you want something signed, you might not be able to use it yourself

Well, thats a real kick in the pants. But my question is this. What if the idea was generated before I even began going to school here? Does the class requiring me to do a proposal automatically shift intellectual property rights over to the school? Plus, I have proof that the idea was generated 3 years before I started here. I gotta go find our legal department, if we have one.

Wilf · 03-09-2004, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fach
Well, thats a real kick in the pants. But my question is this. What if the idea was generated before I even began going to school here? Does the class requiring me to do a proposal automatically shift intellectual property rights over to the school? Plus, I have proof that the idea was generated 3 years before I started here. I gotta go find our legal department, if we have one.

I couldn't tell you, I would imagine you'd be fine if the idea predated your school time. I'm not a lawyer so don't trust what I say, hell, I'm not even in your country!

Talk to the legal department, or if time is a factor, talk to a law professor if you have one.

AC Lerok · 03-09-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by -=C=-

DOH!

nice work.

Fach · 03-09-2004, 12:45 PM

I just emailed one of my old Business Law professors since I do not believe we have a legal department for student reference. Hopefully, he can give me an opinion on this issue. My school has a history of screwing over its students so I became quite concerned. I'll post his response just in case this question comes up for anyone else.

KC · 03-09-2004, 01:00 PM

Do a business proposal on something other than what you really want to do. Then, when it's done, just intersperse the ACTUAL terminology you want to 'protect' and there's your good business proposal.

With a little work, you'll be fine.

AC Lerok · 03-09-2004, 05:25 PM

ohyeah Fach . . . how'd your Philly weekend go? any luck? where'd you end up?

Fach · 03-09-2004, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AC Lerok
ohyeah Fach . . . how'd your Philly weekend go? any luck? where'd you end up?

It turned out good. We ended up going out this past weekend actually. Rory Block was playing at the Tin Angel and I'm a sucker for the blues, so we had dinner at Serrano's downstairs. We both thought it was great. The food, service and atmosphere was wonderful. I thought the Tin Angel was a little cramped but the acoustics were exceptional. I will definitely be back there for more shows. Thanks for the advice, though. By the way, What is your opinion on Ortlieb's and Warmdaddy's? I have heard decent things about both.

AC Lerok · 03-09-2004, 05:41 PM

Ortlieb's is an old hang of mine, great room and good talent playing. Warmdaddy's I've never been to. it's the sister restaurant to Zanzibar Blue, and if it's anything like Zanzibar Blue, the band plays in the dining room, not the bar . . . which can be a drag.

tin angel is a great room, but the logistics of it make me want to scream. i don't care for that neighborhood a whole lot except for the Khyber, Drinkers, Lucy's, and Sugar Mom's.

03-09-2004, 12:10 PM	#1
Fach Scooby Newbie Member#: 17133 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State	Writing a business proposal...Need legal help I am just finishing up a business proposal for a technical writing class. I also have to pitch my idea to the class and would like to pass out some copies of the proposal to the class. What I am concerned about is someone taking the proposal home and acting on the idea. I have a blank confidentiality agreement that I could pass out to everyone so they can sign it and I can collect them. But this agreement includes a non-compete clause which may cause more trouble then its worth. It would be easier to include something right in the beginning of the proposal that says something to the effect of "If you read beyond this point you agree to the following terms...". Does anyone have any generic legal documents that I can include? It is not a big enough project to have a lawyer draft one and I am up against a deadline.

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03-09-2004, 12:15 PM	#2
-=C=- Scooby Specialist Member#: 7719 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: OT 24/7 Vehicle: I no longer own a M3 so stop asking about it	What you just said about "If you read beyond this point" may or may not work. Someone could argue that they "skipped" that sentence and didn't know it was there...

03-09-2004, 12:17 PM	#3
AC Lerok Scooby Newbie Member#: 7918 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Haterz no like. Vehicle: 2007 FSXT Obsidian Black Pearl	yeah, a notice about reading isn't enough, you need some sort of acknowledgement method there (i.e. signing) or it will hold about as much water as a circa-1987 Bon Jovi mesh halfshirt.

03-09-2004, 12:18 PM	#5
Wilf Scooby Newbie Member#: 40304 Join Date: Jul 2003	Can't help you but here's something to consider. Some universities and colleges have regulations saying that THEY own the rights to any intellectual property created for courses. So it may be a mute point if you want something signed, you might not be able to use it yourself

03-09-2004, 12:20 PM	#6
AC Lerok Scooby Newbie Member#: 7918 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Haterz no like. Vehicle: 2007 FSXT Obsidian Black Pearl	run your legalese past the school's legal eagles and see if they'll let it fly. if not, expect your professor to get rich off your ****.

03-09-2004, 12:45 PM	#12
Fach Scooby Newbie Member#: 17133 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State	I just emailed one of my old Business Law professors since I do not believe we have a legal department for student reference. Hopefully, he can give me an opinion on this issue. My school has a history of screwing over its students so I became quite concerned. I'll post his response just in case this question comes up for anyone else.

03-09-2004, 01:00 PM	#13
KC Scooby Guru Member#: 442 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: SE Mass/RI Vehicle: 2000 Honda S2000 White	Do a business proposal on something other than what you really want to do. Then, when it's done, just intersperse the ACTUAL terminology you want to 'protect' and there's your good business proposal. With a little work, you'll be fine.

03-09-2004, 05:25 PM	#14
AC Lerok Scooby Newbie Member#: 7918 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Haterz no like. Vehicle: 2007 FSXT Obsidian Black Pearl	ohyeah Fach . . . how'd your Philly weekend go? any luck? where'd you end up?

03-09-2004, 05:41 PM	#16
AC Lerok Scooby Newbie Member#: 7918 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Haterz no like. Vehicle: 2007 FSXT Obsidian Black Pearl	Ortlieb's is an old hang of mine, great room and good talent playing. Warmdaddy's I've never been to. it's the sister restaurant to Zanzibar Blue, and if it's anything like Zanzibar Blue, the band plays in the dining room, not the bar . . . which can be a drag. tin angel is a great room, but the logistics of it make me want to scream. i don't care for that neighborhood a whole lot except for the Khyber, Drinkers, Lucy's, and Sugar Mom's.