What is a SAFE? (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) What types of SAFE are there?
What is a SAFE? An equity instrument that usually comes in one of three types: Discount, Valuation Cap, Most Favord Nation (MFN). Read More>>
Business
Odin Law and Media Files Amicus Brief with U.S. Supreme Court Supporting Digital Privacy in Trademark Applications
Firm challenges US Patent and Trademark Office’s privacy-compromising requirement for domicile addresses FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Raleigh, NC – 16 July 2024 –Odin Law and Media (OLM), a leading firm specializing in digital media and game development law, is proud to announce its representation of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and CodeMiko in filing an amicus brief …
What are the Risks of a SAFE?
As founders look to raise capital, Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) present a streamlined option. However, like any financial instrument, SAFEs come with their own set of risks. Understanding these risks is vital for making informed decisions and protecting the future of the business. 1. Valuation Cap Uncertainty SAFEs come in different forms. One …
Understanding Open Source Licenses: A Guide for Game Developers
When working on a game development or software project, understanding open source licenses is crucial. These licenses dictate how developers can use, modify, and distribute open source software. In this blog post, we’ll break down the essentials of open source licenses, focusing on the differences between permissive and copyleft licenses, and how they impact the …
Understanding Open Source Licenses: A Guide for Game Developers Read More »
Vtubers: Avatars, Anonymity, and Agencies
Vtubers are like any other online entertainer or content creator: they also stream themselves playing video games, create YouTube videos, write and perform music, voice act, or just chat with their audiences. What sets Vtubers apart from other content creators is that they present themselves mainly or wholly as an animated avatar, often in the …
New FTC Rule Banning Noncompetes
The FTC, relying on Section 5 and Section 6(g) of the FTC Act, issued a final rule on April 23, 2024 banning the use of non-competes nationwide. The ban will go into effect 120 days after the publication in the federal register (note that publication has not happened yet and the predicted effective date will …
Roblox Developers and Work For Hire Agreements
One of the wonderful things about Roblox is that anyone can develop and publish a game. But when some Roblox devs start making a game, the last thing they think about is contracts. That can be a problem, especially if the game blows up. Why? Because depending on what agreements, if any, the primary devs …
How people accidentally doxx themselves by setting up a business. Avoid these mistakes.
A lot of folks accidentally dox themselves, typically when they’re setting up a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation (or when purchasing property or filing for trademarks, though this post focuses on corporate records). Why is that? When setting up a business, different states have different disclosure requirements. Some, such as Delaware, might only require …
How people accidentally doxx themselves by setting up a business. Avoid these mistakes. Read More »
Corporate Formalities and Meetings 101, Part 2
In our first overview of corporate formalities and meetings we looked at corporate formalities that help to preserve corporate liability protections. In part two, we look at meetings specifically, including the types, procedure, and substance of meetings. Types of meetings At a high level, there are shareholder meetings and there are board meetings. Corporate bylaws …
Understanding Section 174 Tax Code Changes
Tax years beginning after 2022 brought with them an uncomfortable change for many in the video game industry. Section 174 of the Internal Revenue Code, which previously allowed taxpayers to immediately expense their research and development expenses, now required taxpayers to capitalize and amortize those expenditures over a five- or even fifteen-year period. For many …