Seeking SUCCESS For You And Your Business
Trade secrets, copyrights, and patents are powerful intellectual property (IP) tools used by individuals and businesses to protect their ideas, innovations, and original works, distinguish their brands or gain an economic advantage over their competitors. Although each IP tool offers different protections, many people often mistakenly confuse them with each other. It is important to get advice from a California…
Buying an existing business in operation with a proven track record can be seen as a surefire way of avoiding the early start-up costs and challenges that can threaten the survivability of a new enterprise. However, there are potential challenges in purchasing an established business that render such a purchase far from a sure thing! In the case of buying…
It is often said that small businesses are the backbone of America. That should not imply that starting one and owning one is, in any way, easy. In fact, legal issues from concept to closure can make small business owners feel like their own backs are breaking. There is a way to anticipate and prepare for legal challenges, and that’s…
The process of starting a business can feel both overwhelming and intimidating. While considerable information about business formation is available online, not everything you read is true. Unfortunately, many people are misled by myths and misconceptions about business formation and end up making mistakes when starting a business. To distinguish fact from fiction when starting a business, you might want…
Businesses work hard to build up a customer base, and the last thing they want is for a competitor to get hold of their customer list and exploit it for their own profit, potentially harming the business that compiled the customer data. Trade secrets are protected under both federal and state law. Can a customer list be considered a trade…
Every year, many consumers fall victim to false advertising and other unlawful practices of business. California’s unfair competition law was designed to protect consumers and create a level playing field for businesses across the state. A consumer or business that has been harmed or damaged by any illegal business practice may be eligible to file a lawsuit. An experienced California…
People don’t build businesses intending for them to fail. They build them to succeed, grow, and provide for their families. The more they succeed, the greater the risk of liabilities, including estate taxes, to the heirs of the business owners. If you own a family business, real estate investments, privately traded or publicly held securities, or other business assets, you…
Indemnity clauses are often included in business contracts in order to allow one party to a contract to be liable for any injuries, damages, or losses incurred by the other party. The indemnity clause will require the indemnifier to compensate the other party to the contract for recoverable damages from third-party claims. An experienced California business law attorney can enlighten…
You’re running a successful business but nearing retirement age. You’ve yet to figure out what to do with the business when that day comes. Sell it, turn it over to a family member, or groom an employee to run things? Sometimes, people get so caught up in just making their business function and making ends meet that they neglect to…
Many people starting out in business will opt for a corporate structure to lessen personal liability, but if the corporation has more than one shareholder it generally is deemed to be a closely held corporation until it registers as a publicly traded corporation, if ever. A closely held corporation, typically between a handful of business associates, friends, or family, is…