Employee and contractor IP assignment and confidentiality agreement
A short agreement making sure the business owns what staff and contractors create and keeps its secrets.
What is included
- Searches for conflicting marks or rights and gives a clearance opinion
- Prepares and files trademark, copyright or industrial design applications
- Responds to examiner reports and oppositions, as agreed
- Drafts assignments, licences and confidentiality protections
- Sends or responds to cease and desist letters
What is not included
- Government filing, search and registration fees and other disbursements
- Tax, accounting or valuation advice, unless the lawyer agrees to provide it
- Disputes or litigation that arise later
- Work by NEO Legal Services: NEO is a paralegal firm and only makes the referral
Who this service is for
- Businesses protecting a brand, product or creative work
- Creators licensing or assigning their rights
- Owners dealing with copying or misuse
Information to have ready
- 1The name, logo, design or work you want to protect
- 2When and where you started using it
- 3The goods and services it is used with
- 4Any agreements with the designers, employees or contractors who created it
How a referral works
- 1Tell us in a few words what the matter is about, and who else is involved, so we can check for a conflict of interest.
- 2We recommend an Ontario lawyer for your matter, and at least one other you could choose instead.
- 3The lawyer runs their own conflict check, confirms the scope and quotes the fee, normally in a written retainer agreement.
- 4You pay the lawyer's fee to the lawyer. Any referral fee comes out of it, is disclosed to you in writing, and never increases what you pay.
NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm, not a law firm. Every step of a referral, and your rights
Frequently asked questions
What does the lawyer charge?
A typical Ontario fee for this service is $400–$1,200, plus HST. The lawyer quotes the actual fee before any work starts. You pay the lawyer directly; the referral itself costs you nothing.
Should I involve my accountant?
Often, yes. Many corporate steps, such as share structures, reorganizations and business sales, have tax effects, and the lawyer may work with your accountant on them.
Can one lawyer act for both sides of a deal?
Usually not when the parties' interests differ. Each party to a business sale, shareholders' agreement or major contract usually has a separate lawyer.
What is a minute book and why does it matter?
It is the corporation's record of its articles, by-laws, resolutions and registers. Buyers, lenders and the Canada Revenue Agency may ask to see it, so keeping it up to date avoids delays later.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No particular commercial result can be guaranteed
- Government approvals and third-party consents are outside the lawyer's control
- The work is limited to the scope the lawyer confirms in writing
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