Business Law Savvy - Protect Your Company From 5 Common Legal Risks

by Marjorie Jobe, J.D. - Unfortunately in today's business world, it is only a matter of time before your company is sued by someone or investigated by some governmental agency. However, you can lesson the odds by understanding and identifying the most common legal problems that could come your way and protecting your company against them.

Protect Your Business From Criminal Investigations – The Worst Legal Disaster Imaginable

by Marjorie Jobe, J.D. - Most business owners and executives think that because they are good people who do their best to follow all laws and rules, they are immune from worrying about criminal business investigations and issues. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyday conduct and occurrences can be construed as criminal.

Avoiding Intra-Founder Headaches

by Darren Green - The launch of any new business venture tends to put rose colored lenses over the eyes of the creators of the company. The real world, unfortunately, tends to set in rather quickly once the honeymoon phase is over. Minor disagreements between or among the founding partners often grow over time, sometimes reaching a point where these once-unified world beaters are no longer on speaking terms. It’s at this point that many a founder surreptitiously approaches legal counsel to find out what they can do to fix this untenable state of affairs.

Protect Your Business with Marital Property Agreements
by Marjorie Jobe, J.D. - As a businessperson, the most responsible and loving act in safeguarding your family is to insulate your property and assets from the risks of starting, running or operating a business. Marital property agreements are one of the most effective tools in shielding family wealth, property and holdings from the legal perils of litigation, judgment, seizure, forfeiture or other loss of assets.

What Is Fair Use Copyright Law?
by Richard Cunningham - Many people are interested in the Fair Use copyright law. The Fair Use copyright law enables people to use portions of material that is copyrighted for the purposes of criticism or as commentary. The hard part for many people is understanding what is permissible under the Fair Use copyright law and what is not permissible.

Copyrights and Trademarks
by Sharon Housley - Copyright is a type of intellectual property. A copyright is a set of exclusive rights granted by the government for a limited time to protect the particular form, way or manner in which an idea or information is expressed. Copyright is the legal protection given to artists or producers of creative work which protects them against unauthorized copying of their work.

Don't Ignore Legal Obligations of The CAN-SPAM Act
by Jim Degerstrom - Most small business owners are not aware that they or an employee may be breaking the law regarding spam. The advice that follows is intended to help you avoid any financial or legal consequences.

Legitimate Home Based Businesses and The Tax Department
by Elias Georgi - There are a number of steps that must be followed when you set up your home based business to ensure that it is legitimate and that you do not contravene some of the local and federal laws.

Your Internet Business and the Law
by Stephen Wright - With the number of internet businesses being established on the internet setting new records seemingly every business day, it is no surprise that a growing number of these end with serious business and legal difficulties.

Easy Business Incorporation
By: E. Gilley - Business incorporation a decade or two ago is a tedious process that businesses often reach bankruptcy before being awarded corporation status. However, recent developments in the business world and the creation of Business Corporation Act make the process quicker and easier.

What is Fair Use?
by Sharon Housley - As the Internet matures, users and governments are struggling to manage controversial issues. Lets face it, the Internet did not exist when the US copyright laws were written;let us not forget, while many countries respect copyright laws, the Internet is global without a governing body.

Do I Really Need A Business License And Tax ID?
by Tim Knox - Do I really have to get a business license? This is one requirement that many ebusiness entrepreneurs think they can skirt because they don't have a brick and mortar establishment.

When Is The Best Time To Incorporate Your Small Business?
by Wayne M. Davies - If you're a sole proprietor, perhaps you've considered incorporating your small business or self-employment activity. And so maybe you've been wondering, "When is the best time to incorporate?"

Are You Taking Responsibility for your Business?
by Anita DeFrank & Kara Kelso - It amazes me how often I see others involved in illegal activities or not taking responsibility for their business. No matter if it's using excuses to not deliver products on time or running a business without proper licenses - it's unethical, irresponsible, and sometimes illegal.

Doing Your Part in the Battle Against Spam
by Darlene "Dee" Bishop - Sending spam - unsolicited email - to ANYONE, whether they have sent it to you first or not, is still spamming. This does not help us win the war on spam as this author states - it just intensifies the battle!

Some Basic Tests To Check Your Website For Accessibility
by Trenton Moss - The Disability Discrimination Act says that websites must be made accessible to disabled people. So how can you check that your website is up to par? There are a number of basic tests you can make to address some of the main issues. Webcredible, a web accessibility and usability consultant, suggest a number of guidelines that provide a good start in increasing accessibility to your site visitors.

Craft Show Items - Patents and Trademarks
by Natalie Goyette - A patent and trademark are a far more in-depth than a simple copyright on your craft show items but you may need them.

Identity Theft - Is Your Business At Risk?
by Judith A. Wentzel - A new law, effective this summer, requires all business owners to destroy personal employee data prior to discarding. More and more business owners are purchasing document shredders then ever before. Why?... Identity theft for starters.

Hiring Students for Summer Jobs? Update Yourself on the New Child Labor Laws
by Ashley Kaplan - Soon, school will be out for the summer, and students will be seeking summer jobs. If your company employs anyone under 18, be aware that federal child labor laws, as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), have changed. Here is a summary of the current federal regulations.