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Depending on how you've set the business up, the company may (and probably should) own the code, which would essentially make this not very feasible--without a rewrite, anyway. I've been in your shoes, in terms of co-founder not pulling his weight (it was family, too--oops!), and I did not find a resolution. I ended up ceasing work on what I think was likely to become a very nice lifestyle business (we were already ramen-profitable), because I was going to have to do all of the work. I could re-create the tech (I built everything), but I haven't, partially to avoid any bad feelings, partially because I'm doing other things. Given that you hired a contractor, and that presumably your technology is your whole company's value (you seem to think it's almost all of the work that's been done), I'm not sure why it'd be okay to take that elsewhere, except by virtue of "these guys don't deserve it!" The correct answer to "these guys don't deserve it" is to have clauses to handle that in your business documents--vesting, cliffs, etc. It's almost certainly not "take the technology and run." You might be able to sort-of blackmail your co-founders into accepting your deal, but I imagine it's going to be approached in that fashion. "I want this to happen or I'm done building things" seems to be where you're at, and that's really not okay. (Edit: I think it's not okay to demand the technology. I think it's fine to demand their time, and perhaps a revised agreement where they all have to put in time to vest shares!) Don't get me wrong--I side with you. I just think the best option is probably to not continue, or to continue at a capacity that you're comfortable with, given their work input. That said, I've been fucked in a few business ventures now, and perhaps I'm erring way too far from where the money is. I don't think I have any regrets, I'm proud of how I handle myself--but I don't have any money, either! |