In forming a company with more than one owner, a question that typically comes up is, “how do I structure my relationship with my partners?” or “What are the different forms of business ownership and organization?” The concern is usually about making things fair when partners contribute different things in return for their stake in…
The Corporation is rigid in how it is structured and run. This is due to laws, rules, and general practices that have existed and worked well for years. The great thing about a corporate structure is that it scales very well. From the smallest of companies to the largest enterprises – there is a common…
It is common for entrepreneurs to spend years of their lives, in addition to their blood, sweat and tears to grow a company and the name associated with it. That name can be not only dear to those who invest in it but it can also become a very valuable piece of property. It is…
As an attorney for startups and up-and-coming companies, I am often asked questions such as these: “do I need permission to use someone else’s song in my Kickstarter video?” or “what will happen if I just use it?” or “if the band or label catches me, they can just tell me to stop, right?” To answer…
If a person today creates an intellectual, creative or artistic work, the form of that work is automatically protected by Federal Copyright law (Title 17 of the U.S. Code). Copyright protection does not extend to the underlying ideas or information, but simply to the form in which they are presented. As of 1989, Copyright protection…
The term ‘Trade Dress’ refers to the overall aesthetic, visual design of your product or even your brand as a whole. This is all about a unique look that consumers associate exclusively with your brand or product and no else’s. Trade Dress can include one or more of the following: Colors or color combinations Visual…
If you are thinking about filing for a patent in the new year, it is important to take a look back at patent stats from 2014 to better understand certain aspects such as how long you might be waiting for a patent, and to what industries the most patents going. After gathering data from the…
After stuffing your face with every type of dip imaginable and screaming at the TV for 4 hours, the Monday after the Super Bowl can be a rather grueling day at work. Although originally #patented for airplane use in 1968, the ‘Pillow Crash Helmet’ is a super convenient way to grab some quick Z’s right…
The success of a business can largely depend on the protection of its intellectual property. With the overwhelming amount of protection options, it can be hard to know what method is the best for your specific need. This infographic illustrates the four ways you can protect your intellectual property as well as the benefits for…
Can you be your own lawyer? Yes. Maybe. No. Sort of. In truth, it really depends on the situation. For the easy stuff? Sure. For the more difficult things? Probably not. The big problem is how do you know what is DIY-friendly and what isn’t? A good comparison that I like to use is this:…
End of content
End of content