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3 Comments

Do I need an agreement for my job board?

So I started pitching a themed job board to some companies, and there is some interest. I plan on working up a profile about companies featured on the website with answers to specific questions. I'm wondering if I need:

  • A license to feature their logo
  • An agreement to cover my ass from liability
  • Any other tips from job board creators

Thanks in advance!

on June 5, 2020
  1. 1

    You have to think of 2 main things:

    1. How will you protect your liability.

    Depending where you are jurisdiction wise, are you a sole trader or are you trading as a company? You should look to answer this question. If a small project it is not likely worth the cost to set up a company. If more than, say, £4,000 per annum then consider a company (though be aware of monthly costs).

    1. How to protect yourself legally

    A services agreement with your potential customers should be setup to set out:

    The Client giving you a licence to use of their logo/IP/branding for purpose of the service;
    Fees and when they're due;
    Any limit of liability - e.g. you don't control third parties who may crawl your site and re-display that information. Time limits as well.

    The best way to do this would be to have a standard terms of service on your website that basically sets out the above. Maybe consider looking at existing job board websites terms of service to get an idea.

    My background: Startup lawyer for SAAS; compliance officer; head of legal and compliance for regulated financial services.

  2. 1

    Liability ultimately managed by creating a limited company. TOS useful but not last word. Apparently use of logos OK depending on usage though assume owner retains copyright and can ask you cease. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/when-you-need-permission-use-trademarks.html

  3. 1

    Really though. I'm new to this, so any help would be appreciated.