Feed: North Carolina Law Life - AggScore: 52.0

Green Plus: Sustainable Equals Successful

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Conceive Believe Achieve:  Business Success Strategy Series Green Plus: Sustainable Equals Successful June 20, 2012              Green Plus: Sustainable Equals Successful:  Green practices can make your business thrive and prosper, beyond just being environmentally responsible. Our speakers will discuss the impact that Green Plus and other sustainable practices have on business success, employees and the environment, as [...]

NC: Cutting Edge R&D and Cutting Edge Corporate Espionage

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that corporate espionage has cost American companies dollarsignr13 billion from trade secrets stolen by company insiders and given to hostile foreign governments. To combat this growing threat, largely sponsored by China, the FBI is starting an economic espionage  awareness campaign in key hot spots to educate American workers about [...]

B2B and Pinterest? There’s nothing to see here.

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It’s hard for social media advocates like us to not enthusiastically support the medium’s newest fave: Pinterest. The virtual scrapbook is a GREAT display window for consumer companies selling food, fashion or funky fixtures. If you’re a B2B company, however, it’s probably best to keep walking. Admittedly, Pinterest brings some incredible stats to the table: [...]

Expanding the Family Business Into the Third Generation

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Conceive, Believe Achieve:  Business Success Strategy Series Expanding the Family Business Into the Third Generation Third Wednesdays, noon- 1:30 p.m. (Lunch to be provided) May 16, 2012              Expanding the Family Business Into the Third Generation.  Ensuring successful transition of a family business takes special attention to managing interpersonal relationships, succession planning, estate planning and funding. Speakers: [...]

Record-Keeping: How Long and Why Does it Matter?

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This time of year often leaves people wondering how long they should keep their financial records, which ones are important, and why they should be kept. In addition, certain corporate records can and should be discarded on a regular schedule, while other should be maintained forever. Tax and Financial Records: What’s important Federal tax returns [...]

Workers Comp Stakes Raised in NC

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North Carolina law requires any business with three or more employees (including owners working in the business) to carry workers compensation insurance.  Until recently, there wasn’t much penalty to employers who scoffed at this law.  As documented in the Raleigh News & Observer today, the NC Industrial Commission (which implements the workers comp system) is [...]

Yes, an LLC Can Be Taxed as an S-corp, But Why?

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We are sometimes asked to form a limited liability company for a new North Carolina business that wants to be taxed like an S-corporation.  Yes, we can do that, but why? The primary reason for a company to do this is because it wants the operational and organizational flexibility of the LLC, but it also [...]

I’ve Paid My Taxes, Now What?

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Conceive, Believe Achieve:  Business Success Strategy Series I Paid My Taxes, Now What? Third Wednesdays, noon- 1:30 p.m. April 18, 2012             I Paid My Taxes, Now What? Five Triangle business advisors address best practices in planning for business growth in 2012.  The panel will discuss what’s notable in financing, accounting, employee management, legal and growth planning. Speakers: [...]

Stop at the Intersection of Job Application and Facebook Login

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At the intersection of social media and law today is whether employers can or should ask job candidates for their Facebook login information as part of the interview process or force candidates or employees to “Friend” someone at the company. Several recent situations are raising this issue: The Maryland Department of Corrections used to ask [...]

The Importance of Getting it in Writing

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While oral or verbal contracts are often enforceable, they are not recommended.  It is virtually impossible to prove the terms of a verbal contract, which invites trouble when things go sour with vendors, employees, contractors or business partners.  Written contracts help clarify what the terms of the agreement are, make sure both sides are in [...]

Beyond the Hammer: Thoughtful Approaches to Trademark Infringement

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Obtaining a federal or state trademark is merely the first step in protecting your brand and reputation. If you don’t actively root out and address infringement, you could be abandoning your mark.  Many people equate “policing” a trademark with sending stern cease and desist letters. A knee-jerk cease and desist letter, however,  can subject the [...]

A Man Walks into a Bar…And Sues for Copyright Infringement

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Based on recent questions from our clients, many business owners are unclear that they can’t necessarily play commercial radio stations, broadcast their personal Ipod® playlist  or show sports events from live TV at work. Many people understand “copyright” to prohibit the copying of original works of art. Perhaps they know not to “lift” website copy [...]

But Wait…. There’s More: Recent Offers to Trademark Applicants and Registrants

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A client with a pending federal trademark application  called the other day and asked if he should go ahead and pay the “Trademark Office” invoice directly.  Trouble is, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office does not send invoices.  It is up to the applicant or his attorney to keep up with necessary filings and pay [...]

I Know What You Did Last Night: Employer GPS Monitoring

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The US Supreme Court ruled last month that a warrant is required for police to track a suspect with a GPS device, or the search violates the Fourth Amendment’s protection from unreasonable searches.  Many employees use devices (cell phones, smart phones, tablets and laptop computers) that incorporate GPS location monitoring.  In light of US v. Jones, [...]

Girls Gone Wild: Trademark Infringement or Publicity Stunt?

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Did Madonna infringe the Girls Gone Wild video series trademark by recording a song with the same name?  Probably not, but (with the typical lawyer disclaimer) it depends. Girls Gone Wild is a video series where young women (usually at Spring Break or Mardi Gras parties) agree to be filmed stripping or flashing.  Madonna, halftime [...]