Beyond The Box

I’m going to take a small sabbatical from my current series of blog posts and change it up a bit. As many of you know, I am working on a Crossfit mobile application called Beyond The Box. Beyond the Box "BTB" is a free Website/Mobile application that enables Crossfitters to enhance their fitness, log WODS, search for competitions, upload pictures, challenge users and engage in a more social experience with Crossfit.

Of course with every business, you are exposed to a certain amount of legal responsibilities. In order to execute a successful business strategy, I want to protect myself from these issues. I did some research and came across some things that may put my business in harm if I am not careful. Before Crossfit blew up, Greg Glassman had his own personal share of legal worries. Greg Glassman was fighting in court against the Athos Group for 100% ownership of Crossfit. Long story short, Greg Glassman won. Winning the case allowed Glassman to completely control everything inside Crossfit, which means I need a Crossfit affiliate license to launch my application. Being a Crossfit affiliate prevents me from being issued a cease and desist letter.  

Another issue that affects my business is injury. We can see this presented in a lawsuit with Navy veteran Makimba Mimms. Navy Capt. Jonathan Picker claims that practicing Crossfit may lead to musculoskeletal injuries and even muscle breakdown. These statements allow others practicing Crossfit to file lawsuits against my application if I am not careful. In order to prevent being sued, I plan to have a variety of waivers to be signed prior to exercising under the guidance of my mobile application.

The last and final issue deals with ASCAP. This is a simple issue that is easily avoidable, but it has to do with the licensing of music being played at Crossfit gyms. Crossfit is known for playing lots of music while working out, but many of the gyms are not paying the fees to play the music.

Though this is not a big issue for my application, I thought it was interesting. It never occurred to me that gyms play the same amount of music as a nightclub does, so why shouldn’t they be subjected to the same rules? Nonetheless, when owning a business you must be careful and always try to protect yourself at all means possible.