Here is how understand what I was told regarding these kind of problems. - When acquisition happens, then acquirer will do due diligence. They will want that a

Here is how understand what I was told regarding these kind of problems. - When acquisition happens, then acquirer will do due diligence. They will want that all people which were involved in the development without the contract to sign a waiver / transfer IP. - If people involvement in the development were working for free and there were not contract, then, by default, they are eligible for part of equity. In short if co-founder leaves and was not paid you must ask him to sign waiver / transfer of IP (not sure exactly what: ask your lawyer - then can craft that). I believe the key here is whether is that person was compensated or not. Am I right here?