Agreements when collaborating on projects?
Should I establish some kind of agreement on paper when working with freelancers or collaborating with developers on projects? Things like NDAs and stuff. I have this app I started building, but it'll take some time to build alone especially for someone like me who is still learning. When bringing freelancers or friends on board to code with me should I have some agreement in place in case I decide to turn it into a startup? Some friends have offered to help me work on it. Also, are there any precautions I should take when bringing in freelancers? Things I should do to protect intellectual property or replicating my idea.
there is a big difference if you pay for work and in what system, like doing it in an established marketplace the contacts are kinda already in place.
or people work for equity, super needing to have something in writing
or it's all fun and games friends spending time on a thing that would probably never be an income generator
to something you think would actually generate income and you have some "free help", this might be super complicated..
for the most part, you can't prevent people replicating your idea, and if it's only chance of success is based on secrecy than good luck.
You have to tell your freelancer to sign the NDA. And sign the co-founder agreement is important if you give shares instead of salary.
In the end it's always the trust. Ideas are everywhere and it's hard for someone to grab your idea and build something from it. Because you only had the vision. If someone steals your business idea that doesn't mean end of the road. You have to think of this as validation. More people like your idea more market and eventually more people use it.
I'm in the process of generating content over idea creation. Do follow https://twitter.com/startappideas