# 009: NDAs, Contracts, Insurance & Other Legal Tips with Gordon Firemark of Entertainment Law Update

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2016-05-31
- Length: 53m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm
- Listen: http://www.theproductstartup.com/episode-9-gordon-firemark-entertainment-law-update/

## Summary

Gordon Firemark, an entertainment attorney and host of the Entertainment Law Update podcast, advises product startups on navigating legal risks, emphasizing that NDAs have limited enforcement value compared to trusting reputable partners. He explains the distinctions between patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, warning against frivolous patenting and highlighting the importance of proper business entity formation (LLCs/Corporations) and comprehensive insurance to protect personal assets. Firemark also details the legal requirements for online businesses, including DMCA registration for safe harbor, FTC compliance for endorsements, and the critical distinction between employees and independent contractors to avoid liability.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=0) Introduction: Gordon Firemark and Legal Basics
- [3:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=213) The Limited Value of NDAs and Trust
- [6:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=378) Contracts, Emails, and Implied Agreements
- [9:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=574) Advertising, Endorsements, and Fair Use
- [13:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=830) Intellectual Property Spectrum: Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights
- [19:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=1170) Business Entities, Insurance, and Liability Protection
- [24:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=1449) Choosing and Working with Patent Lawyers
- [35:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=2152) Online Legal Risks: DMCA and Copyright Infringement
- [39:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=2373) Employment Law: Employees vs. Contractors
- [43:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=2598) Types of Insurance and Prioritizing Coverage
- [48:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-05-31-009-ndas-contracts-insurance-other-legal-tips-with-gordon-firemark-of-entertainm#t=2881) FTC Guidelines and Advertising Disclaimers

## Topics

- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mako Design + Invent (company)
- Entertainment Law Update (other)
- Game Face Company (company)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Lori Greiner (other)
- Mark Cuban (other)
- RJBarrie (other)
- Coca-Cola (product)
- Nabisco (company)
- Oreo (product)
- Kentucky Fried Chicken (company)
- RSS (other)
- OK Corral (other)
- firemark.com (other)
- entertainment law update.com (other)
- podcast lawbook.com (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#216 - Food Labeling Law 101 with Lauren Handel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-09-30-216-food-labeling-law-101-with-lauren-handel) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [4: Are We Not Lawyers?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-06-06-4-are-we-not-lawyers) (Embedded.fm)
- [#238 - Legal Ask-Me-Anything with Giannuzzi Lewendon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-03-238-legal-ask-me-anything-with-giannuzzi-lewendon) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#243 - Building Your Team Legal Considerations with Giannuzzi Lewendon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-07-243-building-your-team-legal-considerations-with-giannuzzi-lewendon) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Episode 171: Ant Insurance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2018-06-15-episode-171-ant-insurance) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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