For many new and existing businesses, their intellectual property (IP) may be by far their most valuable asset. Intellectual property can include literary works, software code, processes, formulas, manufacturing specifications, marketing plans, or designs. In some cases, a company’s ideas may literally be their only asset – consider, for example,…
There are pros and cons to including an arbitration clause as part of your contractual agreements. Arbitration is a popular and can be effective forum for settling disputes between individuals, businesses, in real estate contracts and in employment settings under the right circumstances. There are two types or arbitration clauses:…
The possibility of a hostile takeover is a very real concern for many publicly traded companies. A hostile takeover can occur in a number of ways, but one of the most common is purchasing enough stock on the open market to obtain a controlling majority. The main characteristic that defines…
Historically, only general or limited partnerships were used for investing in real estate, but over the past decade, forming a Limited Liability Company (an “LLC”) has become a more popular choice for real estate investors. An LLC formed for real estate investment purposes is not very different from a regular…
California law imposes fiduciary duties upon the officers and directors of a corporation which requires them to conduct themselves in a certain way with regard to the corporation and its shareholders. A fiduciary duty is the highest duty that the law can require and it requires those upon whom the…
Selling your business can make a good profit when sold to the right buyer. When you decide to exit the company, selling your business may be a good strategy. A business sale may not be easy, but there can be many rewards and benefits. If you’re interested in selling your…
Among people who are actively involved in business, Delaware is known as the state that is perhaps the most corporation-friendly in the United States. According to the state of Delaware, it has been “preeminent” as a place for businesses to incorporate since the early part of the 20th century, and…
If you’re thinking about starting a nonprofit, there are some steps to take before you begin. Forming a nonprofit organization is much like starting a regular corporation, except there are several additional steps you must take to ensure tax-exempt status, which includes a rigorous application process. Here are some common…
January 1st brought 930 new California laws which are enforceable in the new year. We’d like to share some of the new and relevant laws for 2015 that may affect you and your business activities. Here are 7 new federal and California laws that took effect January 1st. 7 New…
As much as you may want to avoid litigation when it comes to your business, conflicts arise and are sometimes unavoidable as a cost of running a successful business. While you and your business partners may have other philosophies on handling workplace issues, sometimes litigation is the best course of…