SettlementBoard.com News, Articles and Information for Legal Junkies

12Sep/110

Legal Aspects to Starting a Business in Maricopa County

Business law, unlike other laws, does not apply to an individual but to a business entity. A business law attorney with experience and expertise can help corporations and partnerships in a number of ways, including:

• Conceiving and starting a business
• Legal issues related to small business
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Buying or selling a business
• Dissolving a business
• Dissolutions and partnership disputes
• Contracts creation and management
• Transactions
• Franchising related matters
• Organizational engineering and legal processes
• Protecting intellectual property involved in the business
• Personal Asset Protection

Any of your business related legal issues in Maricopa County, can be resolved by consulting a Maricopa County business law attorney.

The business regulatory rules are dynamic in Arizona State and many business opportunities are available in the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Look for an experienced business law attorney who is adept not only at staying on top of your business legal problems, but who keeps on top of the latest changes in the law. Listed below are some of the major issues when considering the start up of a business entity:

• Selection of the right business structure, whether a corporation or partnership
• Understanding of the tax consequences of your business type
• Drafting of organizational documents, bylaws, and documents for business operations
• Learning various rules and regulations one might face in the business

To guide you through your business decisions, it is intelligent to choose a lawyer who is an expert in business law and knowledgeable about accounting and tax planning.

 

12Sep/110

Protecting Your Trademark in the United States

It is important for corporations and other institution to register and protect a trademark for their business names, logos, and other intellectual property under the United States Trademark law.

Trademarks involve a number of issues, including:

• Asset development
• Registration
• Maintenance
• Protection strategies
• Risk management
• Conflict

Seeking the expert legal counsel of trademark lawyers is often crucial for success when dealing with trademarks and the law. Other than litigation, a trademark attorney can serve a business entity several ways:

• Preparation, filing, and prosecution of trademark applications within United States and abroad
• Implementation of trademark protection strategies
• Searching and tracking of trademarks
• Coordination of trademark portfolios across the globe
• Trademark licenses negotiation
• Preparation and litigation of oppositions, cancellations, and infringement of trademarks
• Domain name arbitration and litigation preparation
• Performing cease-and-desist operations throughout United States

There are five types of trademarks that can be developed for a business:

1. Fanciful marks
2. Arbitrary marks
3. Suggestive marks
4. Descriptive marks
5. Generic marks

Your attorney can explain what they are and their significance. An experienced United States trademarks lawyer has the resources and skills to help you find an apt trademark for your business entity.

The TM symbol does not demand any paperwork while the ® symbol requires an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including proof of sustained and exclusive use of the mark. For more information, contact a trademark lawyer.

12Sep/110

Intellectual Properties and U.S Laws

A recent intellectual property case concerned a famous entertainment company fighting against two American celebrity nightclub operators for its trademark rights.

Some background

Kraze entertainment had a license agreement with Pan Av and a lease agreement with MBS, both of which are operators of American celebrity night clubs. Pan Av terminated the license agreement which stated that Kraze had the exclusive right to use the Pan Av trademark. MBS subsequently cancelled the lease agreement with Kraze.

Kraze’s legal fight

Now Kraze has filed a case against MBS, Pan Av, and their shareholders. As per the suit filed, Kraze seeks a court order for the alleged termination of the license agreement on trademarks to be deemed unlawful and invalid. Also Kraze has stated that MBS acted unreasonably by cancelling its lease with Kraze on very short notice.

Trademark laws govern issues related to trademark infringements. When problems occur, one should consult an experienced and skilled trademark and patent lawyer. Trademarks and patents are intellectual properties that need close legal attention. Failure to do so can affect reputations and profits.

Licensing agreements are important legal document since they define the terms and conditions of any deal involving the related parties. Hence it is essential to devise a strong license agreement with the help of a lawyer experienced with U.S trademark laws.

If you intend to profit from your intellectual property rights, ensure you draft a proper license agreement with fair terms and clauses.

 

22Jul/110

United States Patent and Trademark Laws: An Overview

Laws in United States are tailored to protect the work of inventors. It is important for inventors to apply for patents in the United States Patent and Trademark Office to protect their work from being misused or stolen.

Owing to the value of the protection provided by the patent and trademark laws, the legal process will be complex and one must meet the terms and standards exactly. It is wise to approach an experienced patent lawyer who is knowledgeable of the nationwide patent laws for legal assistance.

An inventor who holds a patent has the right to prohibit people or organizations from using, creating, selling, or importing the invention without his or her permission. The party at fault is said to have intruded the intellectual property rights of the inventor.

Filing a patent in the United States provides a protection to the inventor only within the borders of the country.

There are several legal formalities related to invention protections, such as:

  • Patents
  • Product Clearance
  • Trademarks and Service Marks
  • Trademark Clearance
  • Licensing
  • Employee Patent Assignments
  • Confidentiality Agreements
  • Non-Compete Agreements

One should take the advice of a patent attorney to understand the kinds of services one might need in a given circumstance.