I would like to do some consulting in the area of software development for Engineering firms.
I would also like to develop my own software products and sell them.
How do I go about this from a legal standpoint? I plan to alert all my potential customers that I am also working on my own products and that any software I build for them can either remain proprietary for their company (assuming of course it is not the exact same thing as what I plan to create and sell on my own) , or that we can enter an agreement where if I sell the software developed on their dime we would split the profits - assuming they don't want to keep it proprietary which will be the most likely scenario.
YANAL, but is there a way to draft this in legal terms? S
uch that if obvious small classes or libraries appear both in my product and the product I develop for them - and any programmer knows there are only that many ways to skin a code and overlap is inevitable - I won't get sued.
posted by spacefire
on Feb 23, 2013 -
2 answers
I'm in the early stages of exploring a career shift into management consulting. I've spoken to a few people in one company, but I'm interested in hearing from people who do not have to speak for their employer as well.
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posted by Kurichina
on Jan 31, 2013 -
4 answers
I need to know how much to charge a non-profit organization to set up and maintain a DB, having never done it before....and I need to give an amount before
tonight! :-/
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posted by la petite marie
on Jan 9, 2013 -
7 answers
Our company is successful. We (the three founders) are realizing that we need to add more structure and middle management. And we're looking for the right consultant to help us do that.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 5, 2012 -
5 answers
I'm a temp/consultant at a Fortune 100 company. My project is ending soon and I to find another one. How do I do so?
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posted by reenum
on Sep 28, 2012 -
3 answers
How much should I charge for consulting, when it's about something (grad school admissions) where consulting is uncommon? I've never done this, so I'm not sure what a reasonable hourly rate would be.
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posted by Beardman
on Aug 20, 2012 -
18 answers
What are the skills I need to acquire in order to become an analyst or consultant in the non-profit world?
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posted by hala mass
on Jul 21, 2012 -
4 answers
I'm seeking recommendations for tax consultants in the UK, or in the US, or maybe both, to figure out where I need to pay taxes.
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posted by olinerd
on Jun 19, 2012 -
2 answers
I've got a special-snowflake immigrations issue that leads me to believe I no longer know enough to handle the problem. I need to meet with an immigrations lawyer/consultant. But how do I choose? (Location filter: Montreal)
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posted by cinoyter
on Jun 1, 2012 -
10 answers
I need a new job title... and I get to make it up. Help me come up with something both awesome and professional.
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posted by French Fry
on Apr 4, 2012 -
12 answers
Can you recommend free or very inexpensive software for Windows that will pop up at pre-determined intervals (e.g., every 20 minutes) and remind me to fill out my timesheet?
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posted by zharptitsa
on Jan 16, 2012 -
6 answers
Becoming a Consultant: After being an employee of a major consumer goods company for over six years, and climbing up the ladder very quickly, I am leaving my job to be with my fiance halfway around the world. I have a job offer to do the same as I was before, except as a consultant. What's the difference between being a consultant and a regular company full time employee?
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posted by peachtree
on Oct 13, 2011 -
7 answers
Freelance consultant: Any ideas on how I can change my negotiating strategy to land more projects?
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posted by reacheround
on Oct 5, 2011 -
5 answers
[Hypothetical Employment Legal Filter] In the following hypothetical employment situation, is the law being broken? If so where? Is it legally worth pursuing this and putting a hypothetical person’s business prospects in jeopardy?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 12, 2011 -
8 answers
I am looking for a generic client contract that I can use as an IT consultant. Lawyer recommendations in NYC who specialize in contracts for freelancers / independent workers would also be great.
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posted by ridogi
on Jun 4, 2011 -
1 answer
My wife is interested in developing a private practice as a lactation consultant. Business advice needed.
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posted by Justin Case
on May 13, 2011 -
3 answers
I'm being asked to travel to a 3-hour meeting as part of a freelance project I'm working on. How much time should I be compensated for?
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posted by SomeTrickPony
on Apr 24, 2011 -
8 answers
I'm interested in becoming a restaurant consultant. What books should I read?
posted by Infernarl
on Sep 24, 2010 -
2 answers
Should I become a consultant? Please help me decide! Please let me know where I can find more information. I am really clueless about legal aspects of consulting.
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 12, 2010 -
7 answers
I am working on setting up a website for a very small management consultancy. I am thinking of some really interesting content to differentiate from the mundane. Metabrain please help.
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posted by trashcan
on Jul 20, 2010 -
6 answers
How do I claim taxes working as a salaried IT consultant? I have a client in another state that I travel to on a weekly basis.
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posted by jwfree
on Jun 2, 2010 -
2 answers
I have some upcoming consulting work (report preparation, technical writing, some systems architecture -- all for work related to a planning grant), and a large research university is handling the contract. In filling out the institution's "supplier information form," they requested information about liability insurance. I don't quite know where to start in following up on this, so I suppose I'm looking for recommendations about affordable options from currently insured independent consultants doing similar work.
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posted by anarchivist
on May 5, 2010 -
3 answers
I want to open a coffee shop but I have no experience in the industry. Where do I start?
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posted by evanm
on Apr 22, 2010 -
17 answers
Can I include past consulting clients on a resume, even if I haven't actually been employed by them?
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posted by Tehhund
on Mar 21, 2010 -
6 answers
Does anyone have tips (or specific recommendations) for someone to help with an O1 visa, that is not crazy expensive?
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posted by ManInSuit
on Feb 4, 2010 -
5 answers
Resume Hell: How to cite a consultant position when you can't name the client? (Less inside: identifying details smudged.)
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posted by scratch
on Dec 8, 2009 -
19 answers
Ex consultant wants to go it alone. What are the rules governing the use in my marketing materials of past projects that I've managed or worked on as an employee?
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posted by syzygy
on Nov 30, 2009 -
9 answers
Does anyone know any good econometricians/statistical consultants who can help with high-level academic work? I am pretty good, but not good enough to solve a fairly hairy statistical issue.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 13, 2009 -
6 answers
Consultant legal filter: Over-broad non-compete + me jumping to a client firm + angry former boss = well, what exactly?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 16, 2009 -
11 answers
Enough people suggested it that I have started to do strategic management consulting on my weekends. My clients now are pro-bono until I see a horizon for costs. What are some resources on fees and what should I have them sign so that I can better manage the consultancy?
posted by parmanparman
on May 28, 2009 -
2 answers
Who is the best person to give me information on the housing market?
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posted by lore
on Apr 27, 2009 -
15 answers
How would I go about developing a recipe for artisanal bread as well as a menu for a Bakery (ie many types of bread)?
I lack a "culinary school" education (I do have a college degree and currently work in a different field). I have researched many many books on the subject of hearth baking.....however i would like to develop a style with a professional.
Is there a bakery consultant I can hire to work with me??
posted by Nellebee
on Apr 26, 2009 -
4 answers
How can I find a good sartorial consultant for a female lawyer in Chicago?
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posted by nat
on Apr 18, 2009 -
2 answers
Help me figure out a CRM/Sync solution! I'm going crazy trying to figure out a good solution for a small firm; need to sync contacts, more inside...
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posted by vrdx
on Jan 11, 2009 -
3 answers
Book Filter: Help me identify the book about a con man or hustler that my friend's husband heard about on the radio recently
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posted by gemmy
on Dec 10, 2008 -
13 answers
I've been tasked with finding an e-commerce consulting company to help guide us (we are a wing of a fortune 500 company) through the entire e-commerce process. Not so much creating it necessarily, but more guidance/consulting.
My google-fu is yielding all fluff. Ideally, looking for "Company X helped Barnes & Noble switch to an online storefront" type of info, so I can back up any suggestions I might be able to make.
posted by cha4
on May 13, 2008 -
9 answers
Can I be a contracted consultant for the same organization that already employs me full-time?
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posted by pineapple
on Mar 26, 2008 -
4 answers
I am trying to find/identify a story about a customer with some problem (plumbing maybe?) and calls in an expert to fix it. The expert fixes the problem in some trivial way (turning a valve?) The customer then refuses to pay the expert's fee for such a simple fix. the punchline comes when the expert replies that his fee isn't for turning the valve, it's for knowing *which* valve to turn.
posted by mrgoldenbrown
on Aug 9, 2007 -
10 answers
