Of the four types of intellectual property — patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets — trademarks are arguably the most important for startups and small businesses. A trademark, as defined by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is “a word, phrase, symbol, and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one...
Trembly Law
When you submit an application for a trademark to the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO), there is always a possibility of receiving an “office action.” An office action is an official communication from the attorney examining your application which notifies you that there is a problem with your application. In other words, it...
All corporations are not classified as equal. When it comes to filing taxes, knowing what you can classify your business as is an important first step. A C corporation is a corporation that is taxed separately from its owners. This generally includes all for-profit corporations. An S corporation, however, does not pay income tax, but its shareholders do....
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a complex, multifaceted law. Contained within this law are many complex concepts, rules, and terminology. Although mastering this law is a daunting task, doing so can be extremely rewarding because this law offers many protections and benefits for workers. One of the key concepts within the FLSA is...
A visit from a Department of Labor investigator can inspire a range of emotions, including anxiety, nervous anticipation, and even fear. Recently, we’ve discussed some of the issues related to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Department of Labor (DOL) is the organization in charge of monitoring compliance with the FLSA, among other labor...
It if weren’t for limited liability that shareholders of a corporation enjoy, not many people would be willing to engage in multimillion (and multibillion) business transactions. Fortunately for shareholders, LLC members, and partners in a limited liability partnership, having ownership of certain types of businesses allows for limited personal financial liability when it comes to...
Here in the State of Florida, and elsewhere throughout the country, employees and job applicants are protected from various forms of discrimination. Employees are also protected from retaliation by employers when they engage in certain types of behavior related to these protections. If you’re a business owner in Florida and an employee or job applicant...
A common type of restrictive covenant used in the business world is what’s referred to as a “non-circumvention agreement.” This agreement shares some characteristics with non-compete and non-disclosure agreements but serves a distinct purpose for business owners who want to ensure they are compensated for business opportunities they present to other companies. How Does a...