Legal Documents, Templates & Resources
Downloadable Legal Documents:
Bylaws for Corporations
CLICK HERE to Download: VA Corporate Bylaws Template
While Virginia does not require you to file your company’s Bylaws with the state office, corporations are required to keep a written record of bylaws. Bylaws define how the company will govern itself. They spell out your business’ structure, individual roles, and governance issues. For example, bylaws can help settle a dispute on the length of a director’s term or define if you need a simple majority to approve a decision.
Operating Agreement for LLC
CLICK HERE to Download: Virginia Operating Agreement Template (Word Doc)
This document outlines an LLC’s financial and functional decisions. If there is more than one member, it becomes all the more important to define how key business decisions will be made, how profits and losses will be distributed, what are the rights and obligations of members and what happens when someone wants out of the business. Once members sign the document, it becomes an official, binding contract.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template
CLICK HERE to download a MOU Template (Word Doc)
MOU is an agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document. It is not legally binding but signals the willingness of the parties to move forward with a contract. This document can be used to help the parties outline their roles and responsibilities before the more formal contract is executed.
Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Template
CLICK HERE to download a Mutual NDA Template (Word Doc)
A legal document and contract that requires both parties that sign the agreement to not disclose any information protected by the agreement.
Small Business Resource Guide – Virginia 2020
CLICK HERE to download the 2020 Virginia Small Business Resource Guide (PDF)
Virginia specific guide to starting your business. Lots of resources and information on programs, financing, business plans, etc.
Business Entity Breakdown Document
CLICK HERE to download the 2021 Business Entity Breakdown Document
A document to help identify the specific appropriate business entity.
Legal Disclaimer Template
[EXAMPLE TEXT]
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the Virginia Small Satellite Data Consortium (VSDC) and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
Readers of this website should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website authors, contributors, contributing law firms, or committee members and their respective employers.
The views expressed at, or through, this site are those of the individual authors writing in their individual capacities only – not those of their respective employers, the VSDC, or committee/task force as a whole. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this site are hereby expressly disclaimed. The content on this posting is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free.
Website Privacy Policy
This policy discloses the ways you gather, use, disclose, and manage a customer or client’s data. It covers what information you collect about users/visitors when they visit your website or use your products or services. Also, how you use, share, store, and secure the information. And, how users/visitors can access and control their information. Privacy Policy agreements are typically mandatory if you’re collecting data that can be used to identify an individual because this data is legally protected by a number of important laws.
Website Terms of Use
A Terms and Conditions agreement (T&C), also known as a Terms of Service or Terms of Use agreement, is the legal agreement that sets forth the rules, requirements, and standards of using a website or a mobile/desktop app., e.g. copyright protection, accounts termination in cases of abuses, and so on.
Legal Document External Links and Additional Resources:
Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Document Resources:
Link |
Description |
|---|---|
| https://www.scc.virginia.gov/ | Main Virginia website. Lots of resources on business formation, required forms and fees. Also links to the Clerk’s Information System (CIS), an an online tool that allows you to check business name availability, reserve a name, and form a business. |
| https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/New-Business-Resources | New Business Resources |
| https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Entity-Formation-and-Registration-Documents | Virginia formation and registration documents. Includes links to the forms (with instructions) that need to be filed with the SCC in order to register your new business in Virginia. |
| https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Entity-Types-and-Categories | Description of the different business entities (e.g. corporation, limited liability company, general partnership) |
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
CLICK HERE to visit the IRS EIN application site.
“An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. This number is typically required to:
-Open a bank account
-Apply for business licenses
-Hire employees and/or withhold taxes on income
-File tax returns”
Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD)
CLICK HERE to visit the SBSD website.
Information on small business certification programs, workshops, training, finance & capital options for small businesses.
Intellectual Property(IP) Related Documents
CLICK HERE to visit the US Patent Office Website
Patents, trademarks, and copyrights are types of intellectual property that serve to protect creations and innovations. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the federal agency that grants U.S. patents and registers trademarks. For information and resources about U.S. patents and federally registered trademarks consult uspto.gov. Call the patent and trademark office help center at (800) 786-9199 or visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark headquarters in Alexandria.
A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to an inventor, issued by the U.S. patent office. The right conferred by the patent grant is the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention in the United States or importing the invention into the country. For information visit uspto.gov/inventors. There are three types of patents:
• Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement.
• Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for a manufactured article.
• Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state.
A trademark or service mark includes any word, name, symbol, device, or any combination, used to identify and distinguish the goods/services of one provider from others. Trademarks and service marks can be registered at both the state and federal level.
Copyrighting
CLICK HERE to visit the copyright.gov website
Copyrights protect original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical and artistic, and certain other intellectual works, such as computer software. Copyrights do not protect facts, ideas, and systems, although they may protect the way they are expressed. For general information on copyrights, contact:
» U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Library of Congress
James Madison Memorial Building
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC
(202) 707-3000 or toll free (877) 476-0778
copyright.gov