Nonprofit Program - intellectual property

Your cause sounds noble, however, your request is WAY beyond the scope of an internet forum. You need personalized, professional advice from an attorney that you hire.

 

You certainly can add the language into each volunteer's contract, or make it known as part of an "on boarding" activity.

In order to avoid ISSUES down the road, you should run ALL of this by your attorney, or retain the services of one.

One misstep with many of these people "care and feeding" items could destroy what you're building.

You'd be whacko NOT to discuss potential liabilities with an insurance agent or broker you trust.

Yes, you don't want to go forward WITHOUT excellent insurance coverage.



Don't be penny wise and pound foolish.

Once more once, if one of your canines were to "maul" a client or one of their children, that could erase everything you're building.

One can't estimate with accuracy how long gubmint bureaucracies require to provide you with the thing you're seeking.

That said, you MIGHT be able to speak to the professor overseeing one of the law school clinics near you.

Your organization could be well received as one of their "pro bono" projects!!!

Indiana Accredited Law Schools – Law Schools

I wish you well as you endeavor to assist those in need, God bless.

Chase that dream, Lydia.

 

You make a great point about the possibility of pro bono representation. I suspect that one may be able to get an attorney who is passionate about this cause to provide free (or greatly reduced) services.

 

I agree.

The cause is noble.

The OP's nonprofit is sitting on the tip of the spear.

 

Yes. An attorney can help you write a contract that takes care of that.

Hell yes.

And before you even have any dogs in your possession. Wherever you keep them they can still inflict injury on others no matter how careful you are.

Very amusing. Those liability waivers aren't going to be worth the paper they are printed on. You train a dog improperly and he tears somebody's throat out, you'd be amazed how fast a jury will toss that document.

Find yourself an independent commercial insurance agent and buy the proper liability insurance for your business. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on insurance because you are going into a high risk business. You might want to join an association of similar dog training businesses and see who knows what about insurance availability. There may even be insurance at more reasonable cost through an association.

Your workbook has limited copyright protection upon its creation. Registering the work with the US Copyright Office provides even greater protection.

Study up:

U.S. Copyright Office | U.S. Copyright Office

And get it registered as soon as possible.

 

Just wanted to add my support for the cause. The subject of service dogs is one very close to my heart. When a very dear friend/adjunct family member died, we requested donations to his favorite charity, an organization for service dogs for veterans, in lieu of flowers. But service dogs for abuse survivors is an idea whose time is very much come, and I applaud the OP for her program.