The Trademark – Marketing Dilemma
December 31, 2008, 3:25 PM
One of the dilemmas that arises when considering different names to associate with your business is the level of descriptiveness of the name you are considering. A business owner will find it highly attractive to name their business or its ...
Employees vs. Independent Contractors – Classify Your Workers Correctly
October 31, 2008, 4:50 PM
Workers are broadly classified as either employees or independent contractors. Due to the relative simplicity and reduced expense of paying a worker as an independent contractor, many employers make a concerted effort to classify workers as independent contractors. However, if ...
Every Business Should Register Its Trademarks
September 25, 2008, 7:15 PM
Registration and protection of your company's trademarks bolsters the effort to distinguish your goods and services from those that are manufactured, sold or offered by others and is an essential part of building your company’s portfolio of valuable assets. Further, ...
Choosing the Appropriate Business Entity
September 23, 2008, 4:55 PM
Choosing the appropriate business entity for your new venture is an important early decision. Usually, founders will want to avoid personal liability for the obligations of the company and often the individual owners of the business will want to deduct ...
Your Trademark Has Its Limits
September 22, 2008, 3:15 PM
One of the most common misunderstandings about federally registered trademarks is that once registration is obtained the registrant owns the word, logo, slogan, etc. outright to the exclusion of the rest of the world. The reality is that a federal ...
Trademark Considerations in Naming your Business or Product
September 20, 2008, 3:25 PM
Naming a new business or product line is a difficult but crucial task and there are several trademark considerations that should be taken into account. Failure to consider, investigate and invest in a proper trademark search and analysis to ensure ...
Trade Secrets - You Probably Have Some. Identify and Maintain Them
September 12, 2008, 1:45 PM
Just about every business I have ever represented has trade secrets that are important, if not vital, to their activities. Thus, the importance of identifying, securing and maintaining your business trade secrets is crucial.
Non-Compete Agreements Are Unenforceable in California (Except for a Few Situations)
September 08, 2008, 1:05 PM
The California Supreme Court has unanimously confirmed a principle of state law since 1872 -- non-compete clauses are forbidden and unenforceable in California in all but a few situations.
Owning the Copyright in Your Employees' Creations
September 04, 2008, 12:15 PM
In an increasingly service-based economy businesses rely upon the ideas and intellectual property generated by their employees more than ever. But how does a business ensure that their employees’ creations, for which they are paid a salary, are owned by ...
Employment Disputes: Tips for the Employer on How to Prepare for an EEOC Mediation
August 14, 2008, 4:20 PM
Ten tips from an EEOC insider: You've just received an EEOC charge and you've decided to try and resolve the matter through mediation.
BlackBerry or iPhone: Which Should You Buy?
Interview with technology expert Matt Sarrel of the Sarrel Group.
Franchisors: What Are Your Startup Costs?
Interview with attorney Warren Lee Lewis of Williams Mullen.
Sincerely,
Ilya Bodner
Small Business Owner
Initial Underwriting ...