AREAS OF PRACTICE

Software and Intellectual Property Licensing
Slate provides a broad range of software and intellectual property licensing services. Our experience includes drafting and negotiating in- and out-bound software licenses, nondisclosure and nonuse agreements, and addresses transfer of software licenses (in mergers and acquisition settings) for the past nine years. We also have experience analyzing open source issues and developing open source strategies for businesses.

ECommerce Contracts and Advising
(including privacy matters)
Ten years ago, businesses were “cutting edge” if they had a website and could conduct sales transactions online. Today, ecommerce is less novel and more commonplace; having an online presence is, perhaps, as vital has having an advertisement in the telephone book was twenty years ago. We work with clients to make sure that their websites do not expose them to unnecessary risk. We regularly drafts websites’ terms of use and privacy policies, and works with companies to audit their websites for potential liability. Slate also advises clients on electronic contracting, digital signatures, and electronic records retention matters.

Procurement and Sales Contracting
We work with our clients’ procurement and sales organizations to draft and negotiate procurement and sales contracts that effectively set the foundation for a solid business relationship and allocate risk in a manner consistent with company policies. We also train procurement and sales organizations to understand form documents so that they are better able to discuss the documents with potential customers and vendors.

Mergers and Acquisition Negoation and Support
(including transition support)
We have structured and negotiated numerous asset purchases and sales, mergers, and sales of businesses. Our deal sizes range from $10,000 to multi-million dollar transactions. We work primarily in the software, medical device, and forest products industries. Further, we provide transaction and transition support for larger transactions in the IT, software, sales, and procurement arenas.

Business Form and Advising
Starting a business is an incredible undertaking. We will work with you to determine the most appropriate business entity for your venture (based on complexity of ownership, business plan, exit strategy and tax considerations) and draft documents that make sense for your business. We also provide a steady stream of encouragement, support and pastries when needed.