Answer

1. F

   Facts

   IP created by founders before incorporation legally belongs to the founders personally, not the company. If you built the core technology before Day 1, you must formally assign it to the company.

2. P

   Provisions and law

   • Patents Act 1970 | Copyright Act 1957 | IT Act
3. A

   Analysis

   IP Assignment Deed: Formal agreement where founders assign all existing and future IP created for the startup to the company, in exchange for ₹1 or shares (depends on IP value). This is a standard closing condition in every VC deal, missing it delays or kills rounds. Copyright: Code written by an employee belongs to the employer. Code written by a contractor belongs to the contractor unless a work-for-hire agreement is signed. Every contractor must sign one.

4. C

   Conclusion

   1. 1IP Assignment Deed signed by all founders → company
   2. 2Work-for-hire agreements with all contractors and freelancers
   3. 3Employee IP clause in all employment agreements
   4. 4Patent applications in company's name (not founder's personal name)
   5. 5Domain names, trademarks, social handles, all registered to company, not personal email

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