Q: Do I get to keep my *prospective* business
I wanted to start a business back in 2019. I went through the process of choosing the perfect name, narrowing down my niche, choosing products, etc.
While going through that, I had a "business savvy" boyfriend. He wanted to be a part of it, and quickly started trying to take over, so I dropped the idea of the business. No paperwork was ever filed since it came to an end so quickly. Recently, I have wanted to pick it back up. I have left the relationship that was creating the issues, and thought that would be the end of it. Here is where the issue lies, he has passwords for everything.
I have extensive proof from the years that document my journey with this business idea, from name choosing to starting to build websites on multiple platforms, etc. No paperwork was ever filed, so neither of us own the name or anything of the sort.
Is it within my legal right to change my passwords, and continue on with the business? Or is this a situation where I should walk away and start over?
A: Your question should be analyzed as whether property rights, or rights with respect to competition law, have arisen. Is there a copyright, whether or not registered? A potential claim for unfair competition? An outright theft of information? I cannot tell.
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