Intellectual Property & Copyright Infringement
As a business owner, what do you need to know about intellectual property? A fair amount, actually. This is the first of a three-series post about it that focuses on a common mistake made by companies: copyright infringement. Keep reading to find out what it is and how to protect yourself by making sure you […]
Should I Carry Business Liability Insurance?
Owning and operating a small business comes with a lot of responsibility. Part of that responsibility is to yourself, to protect your assets and investments. Business liability insurance does that. According to Bizstats.com, over 78% of all U.S. businesses are structured as a partnership or sole proprietorship. A partnership is formed between one or more […]
Intellectual Property & Patents
In our last post we discussed intellectual property and how it relates to copyright infringement. This week, we’d like to focus on how intellectual property relates to patents. As we shared last week, the United States Patent and Trademark Office defines intellectual property as “imagination made real. It is the ownership of dream, an idea, […]
Bad Partnerships: How To Break Away
Unfortunately bad partnerships can become part of any business due to differences of opinions, leadership styles, etc. So what steps do you take when it’s time to break away? Of course, calling a lawyer is always a good first step. Even if you part on friendly terms, it’s important to protect yourself legally. At Omni […]
Non-Compete Agreements: An Overview
Non-compete agreements can help a business owner to protect his or her business from unfair competition if a former employee decides to start a business in the same field. These agreements are usually put into place at the beginning of the employer-employee relationship. While these agreements are legal in almost every state, they are generally […]
Business Debt: Are You Personally Responsible?
As with many legal issues, the question of whether or not you are personally responsible for any business debts you might have is answered with “it depends.” The full answer to the question depends on what type of business you own, what type of loans you have taken, and other actions you have taken with […]
Writing Contracts: Items You Must Include
If you own a business, writing up contracts with your clients or business partners is a necessary practice. Though it can feel bothersome to do so, drawing up a contractual agreement keeps you and your business safe from potential harm from dishonest second parties or even just misunderstandings. It is important to write up a […]
Employment Litigation: Hiring an Attorney
When it comes to employment litigation, when is hiring an attorney a wise course of action? Well, it depends: Are you an employee or employer? Hiring an Employment Litigation Attorney For Employers Unfortunately, employment law issues seem to be inevitable as a business owner, which is why we recommend hiring an attorney before an employment […]
Buying or Leasing Land for Your Business: Questions to Ask
Buying land for your business is a big step no matter how far you are in your journey as a business owner. Therefore, being prepared and knowing what to ask ahead of time is important. Whether you are starting your business or expanding, here are some questions to ask before deciding to purchase or lease […]
Adhesion Contracts vs. Negotiable Contracts
As you get your business underway, it’s important to understand the differences between adhesion contracts and negotiable contracts. What do they entail? When are they commonly used? What do you need to look out for? Here are the basics you need to know: Adhesion Contracts Chances are you’re already familiar with adhesion contracts, whether or […]