Recent Blog Posts
Copyrights and Works Made for Hire
The general premise of copyright law is that ownership becomes the property of the author who created it from the moment it’s created. However, there is one exception to this which is known as “works made for hire.” This means the employer can be considered a copyright holder, even if the employee is actually… Read More »
FTC Endorsement Guidelines and Online Influencers
With more and more people making their living through digital methods, the world of online-based businesses is continually expanding. A number of these online businesses are founded by people referred to as online influencers. These are people who are YouTube stars, brand ambassadors, bloggers, writers, authors, social media personalities, and more. The Federal Trade… Read More »
What is Intellectual Property and Why It’s Important to Your Small Business
Intellectual property (IP) is defined by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) as “the creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce.” In some cases, small businesses neglect the basics of intellectual property law, potentially losing out on protecting their creations, or… Read More »
Changes to Washington D.C.’s Family Leave Act May Be Imminent
It was less than a year ago that the landmark family leave act, or the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act of 2016, was passed. Now, the D.C. Council is at odds over whether the act needs an overhaul already. What is the Universal Paid Leave Amendment Act (UPLA) of 2016? The new law guarantees… Read More »
Piercing the Corporate Veil
One of the reasons corporations are a popular type of business organization is the ability to reduce personal liability, as courts generally recognize the corporation as a separate legal entity from its shareholders. When a corporation incurs debts in excess of the corporation’s assets, creditors’ claims are typically satisfied with corporate assets only, no… Read More »
Types of Business Organizations
One of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a business is choosing which type of business structure is right for you. Each type has advantages and disadvantages depending on your circumstances, which we will explore in future business organization blog posts. If you’re getting ready to start a business, it’s important to… Read More »
Understanding the Difference Between Wills and Trusts
Many people have heard the terms wills, living wills, living trusts, and irrevocable trusts, but what do they all mean and which one do you really need and/or want? These can be a bit confusing, and each has advantages and disadvantages, which is why it’s important to consult a qualified Washington DC probate and… Read More »
Prevention: A Company’s Best Friend
A company generally never wants bad press. If the company is small, bad news might prevent it from growing or might simply end its existence. If a company is larger, then it might lose goodwill that will then take years to reacquire—if at all possible. Although the type of bad news can vary, most… Read More »
Starting Your Own Small Business
The Washington Post recently released an article covering a small florist shop in Washington, D.C. that has been operating for more than one hundred years. Not all business owners want their companies to grow in size and become global corporations. Some are happy with a smaller company that has perhaps one or two storefronts… Read More »
Real Estate Leasing Basics
In August, we found out that Wegmans, the regional grocery store chain based out of New York, was opening up a location in Washington, D.C. According to sources, Wegmans plans to move into a space currently occupied by Fannie Mae and plans to open by 2022. Moving into a building owned by another company… Read More »
