Dev.to
5/8/2026

The SaaS Legal Checklist Nobody Gave Me Before My First Paying Customer
Short summary
Form a legal entity (LLC/C-Corp) immediately, then address GDPR and privacy policies if you serve EU users. Draft a ToS with liability limits, acceptable use policies, and clear refund terms; navigate securities law exemptions carefully if raising money. Finally, handle contractor IP assignments, open-source audits, and set up VAT/sales tax collection before your first paying customer.
- •Incorporate as LLC or C-Corp immediately; choice depends on funding plans
- •Implement GDPR/privacy policies for any EU users; use privacy-first analytics to skip consent banners
- •Draft ToS with liability caps, AUP, and explicit refund terms before launch
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