There's a real problem when teenagers have purchasing power (such as credit cards) but don't have the legal capacity to enter into agreements on their own. The problem of underage purchases is... (more)

The laws are very complex concerning the importation of goods, and from my perspective (although, hey, I'm an attorney), I wouldn't want to start a business--any business--without one.... (more)

If your partnership agreement contains the right provisions, you can purchase your ex-wife's interest in the business from her according to the procedure and valuation formula in the agreement... (more)

You can certainly set up a royalty or commission sales arrangement with anyone wanting to sell your products. It's not clear from your brief description, though, whether using an exact replica... (more)

Your personal assets are NOT protected if you do business as a DBA. All the DBA certificate does is let people know who's behind the fictitious name that you created for your company. It does not... (more)

Whether or not you need to have a specific license (apart from registering as an entity to do business in your state) to sell your services or products depends on (1) the nature of your business... (more)

The valuation of a business is never straightforward--particularly not with pure startups where there's no historical way (e.g., earnings or other ratios) to gauge the fair market value. What's... (more)

In general, you do not need a specific license to conduct business online.  However, serving overseas customers can involve tricky questions of domestic and international tax law.  Sit... (more)

The anwer to which state is "better" depends on what you are measuring, and in turn points you to the resources you'll use to investigate that issue.  If by "better" you mean lower taxes, an... (more)

Severance and non-competition provisions are usually handled on a company-by-company basis in the United States, so it's hard to get a clear read on what's "usual," especially for... (more)

No, of course not, you don't abandon your idea. You do make sure that you don't use any trademarks of copy or any copyrighted material without permission. But think about it -- where would the... (more)

Having a two year horizon to plan the opening of your business is a wise move. There are many, many issues involved in starting and running a business. As you have the time, consider enrolling in... (more)

A good rule of thumb is that if your company wants to have an office presence in a state other than its home state, it should either incorporate as a separate entity or qualify to do business as a... (more)

Unfortunately, yes. Even if it's just a partial tax year, you are responsible for filing tax forms for each year that your business is in existence -- regardless of whether it is generating... (more)

<P>Business partners absolutely can be charged with embezzlement. Embezzlement is simply a form of theft, but one perpetrated by someone who had a relationship of trust to the company. A... (more)

<P>The steps you need to take depend on whether you want to hire someone from overseas to work in the United States or want to contract with someone to perform services for you from their own... (more)

The Copyright Office clearly states that mere listings of ingredients as in recipes, formulas, compounds or prescriptions are not subject to copyright protection. However, where a recipe or formula... (more)

The answer to your question depends on exactly what you are intending to do. As a general rule, a Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN) cannot be transferred when there has been a change... (more)

The answer to your question depends on exactly what you are intending to do. As a general rule, a Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN) cannot be transferred when there has been a change... (more)

Most business filings are done at the state or county level depending upon the nature of your business entity (corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.). Usually, although not... (more)