Legal Question in Technology Law in California

I started a internet podcast with a friend. He created the name of the podcast and the logo. I created a website and registered the domain in my name. I pay monthly subscription fees and yearly DNS fees. He pays nothing. Besides creating the name and logo, which the latter I'll be changing soon, he has not contributed anything else. Ifthe website starts making money. Is he owed anything?


Asked on 2/03/11, 3:50 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Rob Reed Law Office of Robert A. Reed

Absent any further info, I would say absolutely. If you did not have a formal agreement, then I would suspect a court would rule 50-50, after the recoupment of your DNS/host fees (but might be a wash here being as your partner created the initial logo and came up with the name).

If I were you, I'd split the incoming money 50-50, give my ex-partner the name/logo, and I'd start another podcast with my own name/logo and, if I got a new partner, I'd put something in writing.

If you would like help in this regard, let me know...

I have run a few podcasts of my own, including worshipwednesday.com, playertrack.com and baseballgeeks.com.

Good luck.

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Answered on 2/08/11, 4:12 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

I think there's a strong possibility that you are in a general partnership, whether intended or not, and whether you have a written agreement, an oral agreement, or no express agreement at all. Partnerships are 50-50 deals unless the partners have expressly agreed to the contrary.

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Answered on 2/08/11, 9:16 pm


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