• Mehr als 3 Millionen Wörter Inhalt
  • |
  • info@itmedialaw.com
  • |
  • Tel: 03322 5078053
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

No products in the cart.

  • en English
  • de Deutsch
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Kurzberatung
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
Rechtsanwalt Marian Härtel - ITMediaLaw

The more innovative a company, the larger the “war chest?

8. December 2024
in Other
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
0
63a879ab27465a326fc908f32344bd47
Key Facts
  • Innovations are often legally complex and require adequate capitalization to overcome challenges.
  • Legal follow-up costs are often underestimated, which can lead to financial bottlenecks before market launch.
  • International expansion requires detailed legal concepts, as each country has different requirements.
  • Legal risks, such as patent disputes, can be expensive for companies and must be taken into account.
  • Strategic partnerships are crucial, but require complex legal structuring to protect against risks.
  • Forward-looking planning, such as due diligence and compliance structures, can reduce costs in the long term.
  • Investors are increasingly considering legal protection as a factor in the financing capability of companies.

When I advised a gaming platform on the international rollout of an innovative monetization model a few years ago, I realized once again that the more disruptive an innovation, the greater the legal challenges – and therefore the greater the financial need for legal protection. Today, after 25 years as an entrepreneur and almost 20 years as a lawyer in the digital sector, I see again and again how crucial sufficient capitalization is for innovative companies.

Content Hide
1. Why innovative companies need more capital
2. The hidden costs of innovation
3. Legal risks as a cost driver
4. The importance of strategic partnerships
5. Prevention instead of reaction
6. The role of investors
7. Conclusion
7.1. Author: Marian Härtel

Why innovative companies need more capital

Last week, a promising SaaS startup sat in my office. Their product: a new type of collaboration platform for creative agencies. Technically well thought out, but the founders had massively underestimated the legal costs. The necessary data protection audits and international compliance requirements alone would have used up all of their seed capital.

Legal complexity increases exponentially with the degree of innovation. While established business models can fall back on proven legal frameworks, innovative companies often have to enter uncharted legal territory. This means expert opinions, compliance audits, international legal advice – and all this before the first euro is earned.

The hidden costs of innovation

In my consulting practice, I regularly see how underestimated the legal follow-up costs of innovations are. An example from the gaming sector: A studio developed a new multiplayer concept with an innovative monetization model. What they hadn’t taken into account: The costs for expert opinions on youth protection laws, the development of legally compliant general terms and conditions for various markets and the protection of their IP rights. The “war chest” was empty before the game was even launched.

It becomes particularly critical with international expansions. As a lawyer who has supported many scale-ups, I know that every new market means new legal requirements. What is compliant in Germany may be completely different in the USA or Asia. A well thought-out international legal concept from the outset is worth its weight in gold here.

Legal risks as a cost driver

The biggest challenge often lies in protecting against legal risks. A case from my law firm illustrates this: an innovative marketing platform developed a new form of influencer marketing. The regulatory requirements in various countries were so complex that the legal compliance structure alone cost a six-figure sum.

There are also potential legal disputes. Innovative companies in particular are often the target of patent trolls or competitor lawsuits. A sufficient “war chest” is not only sensible here, but essential for survival. From my experience as an entrepreneur, I know that a single legal dispute can quickly cost several hundred thousand euros.

The importance of strategic partnerships

One aspect that is often overlooked is the legal protection of partnerships and collaborations. As someone who has built up several digital companies myself, I can only emphasize this: Innovative business models in particular are often based on strategic partnerships. It takes time and money to structure these properly in legal terms.

An example from my practice: An e-commerce start-up developed an innovative logistics solution in collaboration with several partners. The legal structure of the collaboration – from non-disclosure agreements to development contracts and license models – consumed a considerable part of the initial budget.

Prevention instead of reaction

The good news is that many costs can be optimized with foresighted planning. As an entrepreneur and lawyer, I recommend a multi-stage approach:

1. early legal due diligence of the business model
2. Establishing scalable compliance structures
3. Strategic protection of intellectual property
4. Development of an international expansion plan
5. Establishing a network of reliable legal advisors in core markets

A well thought-out legal setup right from the start is an investment, but it saves considerable costs in the long term. From my experience as an investor, I know that this preparatory work pays off many times over, especially with innovative business models.

The role of investors

Another important aspect is that professional investors today pay very close attention to the legal protection of their investments. In my practice, I see more and more often that due diligence processes fail due to inadequate legal preparation. A solid legal basis is therefore not only important in operational terms, but also crucial for the ability to obtain financing.

Conclusion

The equation is simple: the more innovative a company is, the greater its financial reserves must be for legal challenges. This may sound daunting at first, but it is an entrepreneurial reality. As a lawyer who has built up companies myself, I can only emphasize this: A solid “war chest” is not a luxury, but existential for the success of innovative business models.

Innovative companies should include a considerable buffer for legal protection in their financial planning. This means not only a budget for the initial legal structure, but also reserves for unexpected legal challenges and international expansion.

Do you need support with the legal planning of your innovative business model? As a lawyer with many years of experience as an entrepreneur, I understand not only the legal requirements, but also the practical and financial challenges of innovative companies. Let’s work together to develop a strategy that enables innovation and provides legal protection at the same time.

Marian Härtel
Author: Marian Härtel

Marian Härtel ist Rechtsanwalt und Fachanwalt für IT-Recht mit einer über 25-jährigen Erfahrung als Unternehmer und Berater in den Bereichen Games, E-Sport, Blockchain, SaaS und Künstliche Intelligenz. Seine Beratungsschwerpunkte umfassen neben dem IT-Recht insbesondere das Urheberrecht, Medienrecht sowie Wettbewerbsrecht. Er betreut schwerpunktmäßig Start-ups, Agenturen und Influencer, die er in strategischen Fragen, komplexen Vertragsangelegenheiten sowie bei Investitionsprojekten begleitet. Dabei zeichnet sich seine Beratung durch einen interdisziplinären Ansatz aus, der juristische Expertise und langjährige unternehmerische Erfahrung miteinander verbindet. Ziel seiner Tätigkeit ist stets, Mandanten praxisorientierte Lösungen anzubieten und rechtlich fundierte Unterstützung bei der Umsetzung innovativer Geschäftsmodelle zu gewährleisten.

Weitere spannende Blogposts

Legal tech: contract generator permissible

Legal tech: contract generator permissible
7. November 2022

An electronic generator of legal documents does not violate the Legal Services Act. This was decided by the 6th Civil...

Read moreDetails

From SaaS to IaaS: contractual features of different cloud models

Legal challenges when implementing confidential computing: data protection and encryption in the cloud
15. January 2025

Introduction: The cloud revolution and its legal challenges Cloud computing has revolutionized the IT landscape and offers startups enormous opportunities...

Read moreDetails

AI in the legal system: Towards a digital future of justice

AI in the legal system: Towards a digital future of justice
16. October 2024

In this fascinating podcast episode, we take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact...

Read moreDetails

BGH on bakeries and Sunday sales

No more free tissues at the pharmacy?
17. October 2019

The Federal Court of Justice has ruled that the sale of baked goods in bakery branches with café operations on...

Read moreDetails

Q&A on self-employment/start-up issues *Update*.

Q&A on self-employment/start-up issues *Update*.
7. November 2022

*Since I'm unfortunately still down with "man flu" today, the Q&A will have to go to   Monday 10 February...

Read moreDetails

Q&A for game developers: publishing contracts

Q&A for game developers: publishing contracts
7. November 2022

At the end of last year, I gave a short talk at the Open Stage Games BW for MFG in...

Read moreDetails

GeschGehG: Do NDAs need to be revised?

7. November 2022

The Act on the Protection of Trade Secrets has been in force since last year. Now the question arises: Does...

Read moreDetails

Cloudflare liable for copyright infringement

ECJ: Advocate General assesses sampling as copyright infringement
7. November 2022

In a decision from October last year, the Higher Regional Court of Cologne obliged the provider Cloudflare, which many website...

Read moreDetails

OLG Frankfurt am Main on Facebook’s deletion obligations

Facebook pages, data protection and August 1, 2019
17. May 2024

In its ruling of January 25, 2024 (case no. 16 U 65/22), the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court set...

Read moreDetails

IT Law

25. June 2023

Introduction IT law, also known as information technology law, is an interdisciplinary area of law that deals with the legal...

Read moreDetails
Sponsored Research Agreement

Sponsored Research Agreement

16. October 2024
Debtor default

Debtor default

16. October 2024
Audit clause

Audit clause

27. June 2023
Up Round

Up Round

16. October 2024

Podcast Folgen

d5ab3414c7c4a7a5040c3c3c60451c44

The metaverse – legal challenges in virtual worlds

26. September 2024

In this fascinating episode, we dive deep into the legal aspects of the metaverse. As a lawyer and tech enthusiast,...

AI in law: opportunities, risks and regulation – the IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

AI in law: opportunities, risks and regulation – the IT Media Law Podcast Episode 3

24. September 2024

Welcome to the third episode of our podcast "IT Media Law"! In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world...

Legal challenges in the gaming universe: A guide for developers, esports professionals and gamers

What will 2025 bring for start-ups in legal terms? Opportunities? Risks?

24. January 2025

In this exciting episode of the itmedialaw podcast, we take a deep dive into the legal developments that will shape...

238a909c26a0302cbd4792cbd18e4922

Global challenges for start-ups – A legal guide

10. October 2024

This informative podcast offers a comprehensive insight into the legal challenges faced by start-ups when expanding internationally. The experienced lawyer...

  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Contact
  • About lawyer Marian Härtel
Marian Härtel, Rathenaustr. 58a, 14612 Falkensee, info@itmedialaw.com

Marian Härtel - Rechtsanwalt für IT-Recht, Medienrecht und Startups, mit einem Fokus auf innovative Geschäftsmodelle, Games, KI und Finanzierungsberatung.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Informationen
    • Ideal partner
    • About lawyer Marian Härtel
    • Quick and flexible access
    • Principles as a lawyer
    • Why a lawyer and business consultant?
    • Focus areas of attorney Marian Härtel
      • Focus on start-ups
      • Investment advice
      • Corporate law
      • Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and Games
      • AI and SaaS
      • Streamers and influencers
      • Games and esports law
      • IT/IP Law
      • Law firm for GMBH,UG, GbR
      • Law firm for IT/IP and media law
    • The everyday life of an IT lawyer
    • How can I help clients?
    • Testimonials
    • Team: Saskia Härtel – WHO AM I?
    • Agile and lean law firm
    • Price overview
    • Various information
      • Terms
      • Privacy policy
      • Imprint
  • Services
    • Support and advice of agencies
    • Contract review and preparation
    • Games law consulting
    • Consulting for influencers and streamers
    • Advice in e-commerce
    • DLT and Blockchain consulting
    • Legal advice in corporate law: from incorporation to structuring
    • Legal compliance and expert opinions
    • Outsourcing – for companies or law firms
    • Booking as speaker
  • News
    • Gloss / Opinion
    • Law on the Internet
    • Online retail
    • Law and computer games
    • Law and Esport
    • Blockchain and web law
    • Data protection Law
    • Copyright
    • Labour law
    • Competition law
    • Corporate
    • EU law
    • Law on the protection of minors
    • Tax
    • Other
    • Internally
  • Podcast
    • ITMediaLaw Podcast
  • Knowledge base
    • Laws
    • Legal terms
    • Contract types
    • Clause types
    • Forms of financing
    • Legal means
    • Authorities
    • Company forms
    • Tax
    • Concepts
  • Videos
    • Information videos – about Marian Härtel
    • Videos – about me (Couch)
    • Blogpost – individual videos
    • Videos on services
    • Shorts
    • Podcast format
    • Third-party videos
    • Other videos
  • Contact
  • en English
  • de Deutsch
Kostenlose Kurzberatung