Author: JGPC Business Law

Why Do Small Businesses Need an Attorney?

Written by JGPC Business Law on October 26, 2016.

California small business owners are usually conscientious about the cost – the cost of their necessary materials they need to manufacture their products or render their services, the cost of hiring and retaining qualified employees, and the cost of keeping their business open and in compliance with the law. Maintaining control over these costs is important: after all, the more costs and expenses a small business incurs, the less profit is available for the business owners to enjoy. For this reason,...

What to Include in a California Business Contract

Written by JGPC Business Law on September 30, 2016.

Obligations and Non-fulfillment Clauses are Only the Start California business contracts are deceptively complex. The basic premise of a written contract is simple: The parties record the promises they made to one another so that each is aware of his or her responsibilities and rights. A contract that contains only this and no other essential terms is sure to lead to confusion and legal troubles. Ideally, a business contract will describe not only the obligations of each party but also what is...

How to Register and Protect Your Trademarks

Written by JGPC Business Law on September 27, 2016.

Registration is Essential to Protecting your Good Name and Reputation Protecting your business’s intellectual property is a task best handled by a knowledgeable and experienced California trademark law firm. A trademark (sometimes referred to as a service mark) includes any word, sign, symbol, or device that is used by one business to distinguish its goods and/or services from another business. Registering your trademark is essential to protecting your company’s good name and reputation. The...

Rights in a California Franchise Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law on September 15, 2016.

Your Rights in a California Franchise Dispute Many small business owners choose to open a franchise for various reasons. Franchise arrangements allow a new, inexperienced business owner to experience some of the benefits of small business ownership without having to completely “go it alone.” The franchisee – the small business owner – gets to use certain tangible and intangible property of the franchisor – in return for the payment of a franchise fee. Like other business contracts, however, the...

Attorney for Creditor-Debtor Rights Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law on August 28, 2016.

When to Hire an Attorney for Your California Creditor-Debtor Rights Dispute Creditor-debtor rights disputes can place a small business in a precarious situation. When the small business is in the position of the creditor, disputes with debtors can mean that the business is not able to obtain payment from the individuals and entities that owe the business money. When the small business is in the position of the debtor, the actions of creditors can deprive the small business of its monetary and...

What Does a Commercial Lawyer Do

Written by JGPC Business Law on August 6, 2016.

New entrepreneurs and small business owners may view commercial lawyers with some amount of suspicion and may hesitate to employ the services of such an attorney. We have heard it is a common perception that attorneys are too costly for new or small businesses and that a commercial attorney – one who is well-versed in the laws and regulations pertaining to business activities – may require too much the business’s limited store of resources to reap the benefits of using a commercial lawyer. Experienced...

What is Copyright Infringement?

Written by JGPC Business Law on July 26, 2016.

Copyright infringement can cost a business owner or the creator of a copyrighted work dearly. Not only does the owner or creator of the work now have to contend with attempting to sell or use his or her work in a marketplace that also contains the unauthorized reproduction, but the owner or creator is at a distinct disadvantage in that he or she has invested the time and resources into creating the copyrighted work and needs to recoup these costs whereas the competitor is not in such a position....

Business Partnership Agreements Best Practices

Written by JGPC Business Law on July 7, 2016.

Running a business with friends or others who share your vision and values can be extremely rewarding. This in part explains the appeal of partnerships – joint business ventures between two or more individuals in which each participant shares the costs and profits of the business. Your partnership, however, will only be as strong as the agreement which governs it. Costly and damaging partnership disputes can arise even between the best of friends, and when they do you may find that your business...

What to Do When Business Partners Do Not Agree

Written by JGPC Business Law on June 29, 2016.

Partnerships are one type of business entity available to California entrepreneurs. A partnership can be formed at any time when two or more individuals agree to pursue a business venture for the purposes of making a profit. In most partnerships, each of the founding members (or partners) of the business have the right to participate in making decisions that affect the operation of the partnership (unless the partnership agreement specifies otherwise). When two or more partners disagree as to...

Intellectual Property Attorney

Written by JGPC Business Law on June 24, 2016.

The Role of an Intellectual Property Attorney In today’s business environment, it is more important than ever for businesses to consult with and retain the services of an intellectual property attorney. In general, intellectual property law encompasses the legal principles, statutes, regulations, and case law pertaining to intentions, literary or artistic works, and/or business names, images, and commercial designs (all of which are examples of intellectual property). However, knowing that you...