For the love of your business

Articles to LIFT Your Life and Business

Know the Difference Between a Name and a Trademark

Business owners should be aware of the difference between choosing a name for a new company and registering a trademark for your business and/or product.  The process of choosing a name for a company is necessary when creating a corporation or LLC (limited liability company). Once you have chosen a name, you should check your […]

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Protecting Your New Business From Trademark Infringement Liability Exposure

Protecting Your New Business From Trademark Infringement Liability Exposure Choosing a name for your new business is an important decision that could have a major impact on your company’s profitability. Before choosing a name for your business (not necessarily your corporate name, the name of your limited liability company or partnership because those could be […]

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Can Emails be Considered Enforceable Contracts

It is a common misconception that oral contracts are not enforceable. It is true that certain agreements must be in writing to be enforceable. For example, the statute of frauds requires agreements involving real property, marriage, performance over multiple years and the sale of goods over $500 to be in writing. If an oral agreement […]

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How to Improve Your Cash Flow with Good Invoicing Practices

Many business owners encounter cash flow problems at one time or another, primarily due to slow collection on past due invoices.  However, the way you invoice can help you avoid late payments.  Here are six tips to good billing practices: Identify each service or good being provided along with its cost. Be sure to include […]

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What Employers Need to Know About the President Obama Executive Order on Immigration

On November 20, 2014, President Obama outlined his executive order on immigration, and the following day issued two Presidential Memoranda that laid out additional directives for the modernization of the U.S. visa system and integration of millions of undocumented immigrants into American society. Many of these changes will affect U.S. employers as well as foreign […]

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How Your Employees’ Social Media Contacts Could be Protectable Trade Secrets

The question of whether an employee’s LinkedIn contacts can be considered trade secrets belonging to a former employer is a question currently before a Central California district court. In Cellular Accessories For Less, Inc. v. Trinitas, LLC, defendant David Oakes was a sales account manager for Cellular Accessories for Less, Inc., a company that sells […]

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How to Have an Office Holiday Party with No Legal Hangovers

Holiday parties that had fallen victim to the economic recession are now back at many offices across the country, and are a wonderful way to show your appreciation for your employees and their hard work during the year. However, business owners are also wary of hosting parties that could leave them with a legal hangover.  […]

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How to Keep Suppliers From Putting Your Business at Risk for a Data Breach

Two major retailers that suffered a major data breach affecting millions of customers – and their bottom lines – have one thing in common: both got hacked through their vendors. Home Depot’s security system was breached by a hacker that stole credit card details and emails for over 56 million customers. The hacker gained access […]

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How to Avoid a Trademark Infringement Dogfight

A New Jersey entrepreneur who sells organic dog treats under the label, “Snaks 5th Avenchew” has prevailed in her fight to keep the name after a short scrap with fashion retailer Saks Fifth Avenue. Carrie Sarabella, who sells her organic dog treats online and direct to retailers, received a cease-and-desist letter from Saks threatening litigation […]

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Did You Just Hire an Employee or an Independent Contractor? Be Sure You Know!

UPDATE SINCE ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN: In a March 3, 2017 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the NLRB’s finding mentioned below that FedEx Home Delivery drivers were employees. The court agreed with FedEx that the drivers were independent contractors and therefore did not have the right to union […]

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NLRB Lays Down the Law for Employee Discipline Based on Facebook Preferences

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled that an employee who “likes” a comment on Facebook that disparages his or her employer is protected under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. In its Triple Play Sports Bar & Grille ruling, the NLRB extended Section 7 protection to an employee who “liked” another […]

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