I work with mature businesses as they address technology-related legal issues. I have been part of large technology businesses as in-house counsel. I have also been part of executive leadership teams responsible for all aspect of the business. This gives me insight into the difficulties that large and mature businesses sometimes have when addressing technology-related legal matters.
The size and complexity of mature businesses can be a complicating factor in addressing their technology-related legal matters.
As businesses increase in size, it is common for them to divide individual business functions into individual business units. This can create difficulties with technology contracts.
For example, in mature businesses it is common for IT departments to negotiate contracts governing technology that will be used by one or more other parts of the business. It can be difficult for the IT department to completely account for the needs of all of the affected business operations.
I work with large and mature businesses as outside counsel. I have worked in large businesses as in-house counsel, and have been part of business leadership. I draw on that experience when representing clients in technology transactions.
Large and mature businesses are not immune from change. Internal reorganizations, the sale of business units and the purchase of businesses are changes that can create technology-related legal issues.
For example, will a service affiliate be established that will provide IT support to other affiliated businesses? Will the businesses technology contracts allow that service affiliate to use the subject technologies to support other business operations? In the software industry, often that is not the case.
When a large businesses sell business assets or business units, it’s common for purchasers to ask the seller to provide transition support. Often the seller’s technology contracts won’t permit that. Businesses can account for that problem when negotiating technology contracts. It is likely to be easier to do it then, rather than when the problem arises.