Protecting your intellectual property is an essential step both in the creative process and in regards to your business. Although there are several different types of IP protection, today we’re here to talk about the patent process. A patent protects inventions. In general, it grants an inventor the right to exclude and prevent anyone else from making, using, offering for sale, or selling their invention in the Read More

Getting sued is unpleasant in any scenario, but particularly if it’s your business and life’s work that’s on the line. No matter the case, dealing with legal issues are always a headache so it’s best that you do everything possible to help your case from the moment you receive notice of the suit. At this point, you’ve probably already been startled by the person serving your notice, so assuming that was done Read More

At the start of your business partnership, you probably never thought about the day where you might need to break things off and go your separate ways. Although it’s a difficult time for both you and your partner, sometimes the best decisions are the hardest to make. Because you and your partner have built a successful business, you want to make sure that the break up is as clean and positive as possible, regardless Read More

A company’s intellectual property (a.k.a. its IP) is the foundation upon which its value, reputation, and integrity are built. IP comes in several forms, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and patents, all of which serve to protect your business’s practices and overall brand. But what happens when someone else is using your IP? We live in a world where the markets are free, the internet is thriving, Read More

As a business owner, you are probably used to dealing with all types of rules and regulations. You regularly deal in contracts and work with outside vendors. You also make sure to file your taxes on time and that everything is done right all year long so as to avoid getting audited by the IRS. But, taxes aren’t the only things that should be audited. It’s not surprising that business owners turn to their financials Read More

If you’ve just started your own business, your first thought is probably not to plan for how to close it down. Not planning for how to end your business can be a bad idea for many reasons, so it’s important that you have a solid exit plan set in place just in case something happens where you need or choose to shut down. Starting a business is a risky move that can have a handsome payoff and it’s important to Read More

The employee handbook is essential for every business. In it, you will detail everything your employees need to know. From corporate dress code to harassment policies, the employee handbook is a vital resource for both employees and business owners alike. But why is having a formal employee handbook really so important? It’s not as if it is an actual contract, although it may be construed as such, and it is important Read More

In general, a non-compete agreement (NCA), or non-compete clause (NCC), is an agreement where one party agrees not to enter into or start a similar profession or trade that is in competition with the other party. Usually, the party agreeing not to enter, or “compete,” in another profession is the employee, and the other party is their employer. The main purpose of NCA’s is to prevent someone from working for a Read More

Litigation is the process by which a case makes its way through the courts. It can be a long, drawn-out process that is not only time consuming, but also very expensive. Because of all of the formalities associated with bringing your case to court, there is often a lack of control that you have over what can and can’t be done. This is because there are so many rules and regulations that must be followed and often you Read More

Hiring a new employee is an exciting time. Not only does it mean your business is expanding and capable of taking on new hires, but it’s also an opportunity for someone to get to work and show you what they are capable of. But before your new employee gets to work, there are several key documents that they need to sign in order to protect both of you in your new working relationship. Below we discuss the most common Read More