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by worksonmymach 567 days ago
Commoncog hits a home run again. This is fascinating. It is more Suits than Suits. Showing how strategy > law when fighting a case. But also the interesting fraternity (not all boys of course) that YC is. Feels like the only other place you would see it is organized crime or corrupt politics where you then owe a favour. But that isn't what it is here. I guess it is about honour.
3 comments

It's not particularly interesting. YC relies on people who leave their employers to found startups. Companies tend not to like employees leaving to start their own companies and often sue them over it, which is 99% of the time meritless and nothing more than bullying. It is in YC's interest to use its resources to prevent this bullying because it both sends the signal to other companies that they would be unwise to try to bully a YC startup and to potential founders that if they join YC they will be protected.
That is what makes it very interesting! I think you have said not interesting when you may have meant explainable. If it is boring, who else does this?
Initially I thought, “Hey now, That’s not fair to the law.”, but I got what you meant - yes.

There’s norms, case history, and the actual written law.

This reads like a violation of social norms where a smaller startup faced retaliation ( repercussions? ), and then had the ability to counter the pressure.

Perhaps and it makes both excellent marketing as well as fantastic word of mouth.
It is legendary. Trying to think is anything else like it? Freemasons? Hells angels? Donald Trump's cabinet?!

Does YC do this consistently though. Even they have to choose battles.