Legal Checklist Before Launching a New Feature or Campaign

You're about to launch a new feature, product, or marketing campaign. Your team is excited. The timeline is tight. Everything is ready to go.

But have you thought about the legal implications?

A single overlooked legal issue can:

• Expose your company to lawsuits
• Trigger regulatory fines
• Damage your brand reputation
• Force you to pull the launch entirely

The good news? Most legal issues are preventable—if you catch them early.

This guide provides a practical, step-by-step checklist to help you identify and address legal risks before you launch.

Why Legal Reviews Matter (Even for "Small" Launches)

Many founders assume legal reviews are only necessary for major launches. That's a mistake.

Even "small" launches can create big legal problems:

• A new feature that collects user data could violate privacy laws
• A marketing campaign with user-generated content could infringe copyrights
• A product update that changes terms of service could trigger contract disputes
• A partnership announcement without proper agreements could lead to liability issues

The key: Build legal checkpoints into your launch process—not as a bottleneck, but as a safety net.

The Pre-Launch Legal Checklist

Use this checklist to identify potential legal issues before you launch:

1. Privacy and Data Protection

Questions to ask:

• Does this feature collect, store, or process user data?
• What types of data are we collecting? (Personal info, location, payment details, etc.)
• Do we have user consent to collect and use this data?
• Are we compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws?
• Do we need to update our Privacy Policy?

Red flags:

• Collecting data without clear user consent
• Sharing data with third parties without disclosure
• Storing sensitive data (health, financial, children's data) without proper safeguards

What to do:

• Review your Privacy Policy and make sure it covers the new data collection
• Add clear consent mechanisms (e.g., opt-in checkboxes, consent banners)
• Ensure data is encrypted and stored securely
• If you're collecting sensitive data, consult a privacy lawyer

Example:
You're launching a new feature that tracks user location to provide personalized recommendations. Legal checkpoint: Do users explicitly consent to location tracking? Is this disclosed in your Privacy Policy?

2. Terms of Service and User Agreements

Questions to ask:

• Does this launch change how users interact with our product?
• Do we need to update our Terms of Service?
• Are we adding new restrictions, obligations, or liabilities for users?
• Do users need to re-accept updated terms?

Red flags:

• Making material changes to terms without notifying users
• Adding new restrictions that conflict with existing user agreements
• Changing pricing or billing terms without proper notice

What to do:

• Review your Terms of Service and identify any necessary updates
• Notify users of material changes (email, in-app notification, etc.)
• Give users a reasonable period to review and accept updated terms
• Consider adding a "last updated" date to your Terms of Service

Example:
You're launching a new subscription tier with different usage limits. Legal checkpoint: Do your Terms of Service clearly define the limits for each tier? Do existing users need to accept new terms?

3. Intellectual Property (IP)

Questions to ask:

• Are we using any third-party content (images, music, fonts, code)?
• Do we have the proper licenses or permissions?
• Are we infringing on anyone's trademarks, copyrights, or patents?
• Are we properly protecting our own IP?

Red flags:

• Using stock photos, music, or fonts without proper licenses
• Using trademarks or logos without permission
• Launching a feature that could infringe on a competitor's patent

What to do:

• Audit all third-party content and verify licenses
• Conduct a trademark search to make sure your branding doesn't infringe
• If you're launching something innovative, consider filing for a patent or trademark
• Add proper copyright notices to your content

Example:
You're launching a marketing campaign with user-generated content. Legal checkpoint: Do you have the rights to use that content? Do your Terms of Service include a license from users to use their content?

4. Marketing and Advertising Compliance

Questions to ask:

• Are we making any claims about our product (e.g., "fastest," "most secure," "guaranteed results")?
• Can we substantiate those claims with data or evidence?
• Are we using testimonials or endorsements? Do we have proper disclosures?
• Are we compliant with FTC guidelines, CAN-SPAM, and other advertising laws?

Red flags:

• Making unsubstantiated claims (e.g., "lose 10 pounds in 10 days")
• Using fake testimonials or reviews
• Sending marketing emails without opt-in consent
• Running contests or sweepstakes without official rules

What to do:

• Review all marketing copy and remove any unsubstantiated claims
• Add proper disclosures for testimonials and endorsements
• Make sure all email marketing complies with CAN-SPAM (unsubscribe link, physical address, etc.)
• If you're running a contest or sweepstakes, draft official rules and consult a lawyer

Example:
You're launching a campaign that says "9 out of 10 customers love our product." Legal checkpoint: Do you have data to back up that claim? Is it clearly disclosed how the data was collected?

5. Contracts and Partnerships

Questions to ask:

• Are we partnering with any third parties (vendors, affiliates, co-marketing partners)?
• Do we have written agreements in place?
• Are the terms clear (scope, payment, IP ownership, liability)?
• Are we complying with existing contracts (e.g., exclusivity clauses)?

Red flags:

• Launching a partnership without a written agreement
• Violating an exclusivity clause with an existing partner
• Unclear IP ownership (who owns the work product?)

What to do:

• Draft written agreements for all partnerships (even "small" ones)
• Review existing contracts to make sure you're not violating any terms
• Clarify IP ownership, payment terms, and liability upfront
• If the partnership is significant, consult a lawyer

Example:
You're launching a co-branded feature with another company. Legal checkpoint: Do you have a written agreement that defines IP ownership, branding guidelines, and revenue sharing?

6. Accessibility

Questions to ask:

• Is our product accessible to users with disabilities?
• Are we compliant with ADA, WCAG, and other accessibility standards?
• Could we face legal action for lack of accessibility?

Red flags:

• Websites or apps that aren't screen-reader compatible
• Videos without captions or transcripts
• Forms or features that can't be navigated with a keyboard

What to do:

• Conduct an accessibility audit (use tools like WAVE or Lighthouse)
• Add alt text to images, captions to videos, and keyboard navigation
• If you're launching a consumer-facing product, prioritize accessibility compliance

Example:
You're launching a new onboarding flow. Legal checkpoint: Can users with visual impairments navigate the flow using a screen reader?

7. Regulatory Compliance (Industry-Specific)

Questions to ask:

• Are we in a regulated industry (healthcare, finance, education, etc.)?
• Do we need to comply with specific regulations (HIPAA, FINRA, FERPA, etc.)?
• Do we need licenses, certifications, or approvals before launching?

Red flags:

• Launching a health-related feature without HIPAA compliance
• Offering financial services without proper licenses
• Collecting data from children without COPPA compliance

What to do:

• Identify which regulations apply to your industry and product
• Consult with a lawyer or compliance expert
• Obtain necessary licenses or certifications before launching

Example:
You're launching a feature that provides personalized health recommendations. Legal checkpoint: Are you compliant with HIPAA? Do you need to register as a medical device?

How to Use This Checklist

Here's a simple process to integrate this checklist into your launch workflow:

Step 1: Assign a Legal Owner

Designate someone on your team (founder, product manager, or legal counsel) to own the legal review process.

Step 2: Review the Checklist Early

Don't wait until the day before launch. Start the legal review as soon as you have a clear plan for the feature or campaign.

Step 3: Flag Potential Issues

Go through each section of the checklist and flag any potential issues. Use this guide (or Vinny) to understand the risks.

Step 4: Prioritize and Address

Not every issue is a showstopper. Prioritize based on risk and impact, then address the most critical issues first.

Step 5: Document Your Decisions

Keep a record of what you reviewed, what you changed, and why. This will help you if questions arise later.

Step 6: Know When to Escalate

If you identify a high-risk issue (e.g., potential privacy violation, IP infringement), consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Real-World Example: How a Startup Used This Checklist

Scenario:
A SaaS startup was about to launch a new feature that allowed users to invite team members and share documents.

What the checklist revealed:

1. Privacy issue: The feature collected email addresses of invited users without explicit consent.
2. Terms of Service gap: The Terms didn't address data sharing between team members.
3. IP risk: The feature allowed users to upload documents, but the Terms didn't include a license for the company to store and display those documents.

What they did:

1. Added a consent checkbox when users invite team members.
2. Updated the Terms of Service to clarify data sharing and user responsibilities.
3. Added a clause granting the company a license to store and display user-uploaded content.

Result:
The launch went smoothly, with no legal issues or user complaints.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Waiting Until the Last Minute

Legal reviews take time. Don't wait until the day before launch to think about legal issues.

❌ Assuming "It's Just a Small Feature"

Even small features can create big legal problems. Use the checklist for every launch.

❌ Copying Terms from Other Companies

Every company is different. Don't copy another company's Terms of Service or Privacy Policy without customizing it for your business.

❌ Ignoring Red Flags

If something feels off, don't ignore it. Flag it and get help.

❌ Skipping Legal Review Entirely

"We'll deal with it if it becomes a problem" is a recipe for disaster. Prevent problems before they happen.

When to Consult a Lawyer

You should consult a lawyer if:

• You're launching a feature that collects sensitive data (health, financial, children's data)
• You're entering a regulated industry (healthcare, finance, education)
• You're launching a partnership or co-branded feature
• You're making significant changes to your Terms of Service or Privacy Policy
• You identify a high-risk issue and you're not sure how to address it

A quick legal consultation can save you from costly mistakes down the road.

How Vinny Can Help

Vinny can help you:

• Review your Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and identify gaps
• Summarize complex legal requirements in plain English
• Flag potential risks before you launch
• Help you decide when to escalate to a lawyer

Not a lawyer. Not legal advice. Just fast, reliable guidance when you need it.