#57: AI Without the Lawsuits - How to Build Without Burning Your IP.

AI is moving fast, but durable businesses aren’t built on models alone. 

In this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh sits down with Frank Paz (Partner, Morrison Foerster) and Craig Alberino (Founder & CEO, LangSmart) to unpack what actually makes an AI company defensible and safe, as it scales.

Craig brings the operator’s perspective on turning AI experimentation into governed, measurable systems. Frank provides the legal lens, breaking down what is truly protectable and where founders quietly create structural risk around IP, data rights, and open-source models.

In This Conversation, We Cover:

• Beyond the Model: Why models alone don’t create durable moats.
• The "Vibe Coding" Trap: The IP nightmare of building on borrowed time or work resources.
• Governance at Scale: How operators manage cost, compliance, and reliability.
• IP Reality Check: What is actually protectable (code, data, trade secrets, and weights).
• Enterprise Ready: Structuring data-sharing partnerships and commercial agreements that pass the audit.

Chapters:

• 00:00 The Rise of AI in Business
• 05:42 LangSmart's Approach to AI Compliance
• 11:13 The Necessity of Strong Legal Counsel
• 16:58 Understanding Intellectual Property in AI
• 22:12 Enterprise Sales and Compliance Strategies
• 27:58 Preparing for Investment and Due Diligence

Guests:

• Frank Paz is a Partner at Morrison Foerster, advising founders through the full corporate lifecycle, from formation to acquisition.
• Craig Alberino is the Founder & CEO of LangSmart, creator of Smartflow, the AI control plane for enterprise visibility and governance.

Who Should Listen: 

• Founders, CTOs, and investors who want to build AI businesses that survive the scrutiny of a Series A data room.

Access All Areas.

• Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTube
• Subscribe: Substack
• Community & Events: Founders Circle
• Connect: LinkedIn
• Socials: TikTok || Instagram || X
• Web: startupsdecoded.com 

Music Credit

• “Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)
• https://phondupe.bandcamp.com/album/air-conditioning-vol-2

The Studio - 28th&Park 

​Filmed on location at 28th&Park. A content & production studio for New York’s visionary Builders, Investors, Artists, Musicians, & Creators to amplify their voice & share bold stories. Use "Decoded" for 25% off your first booking.