A trade secret is a form of intellectual property. As the name implies, it is ‘secret’ information that gives a business a competitive advantage. Trade secrets can come in a wide range of different forms. Some of the most common examples include formulas, practices, designs, patterns, processes, commercial methods, and any combination of the above. Trade secrets are protected...
When work is performed or services are provided by an outside party, it is often done under a vendor services agreement. Business owners and individuals in need of services from a third party— whether as a one-time thing or on an ongoing basis — should use a vendor services agreement. With a clear and professionally drafted vendor services agreement...
Buying an established business can be a great way to hit the ground running. More people are pursuing this path than ever before — according to data from Small Business Trends, the total number of companies bought and sold in the United States hit a record level in 2018. As lucrative as buying a business can be, it is...
According to the most recent data published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), there are more than 600,000 patent applications filed every year. For many businesses in Florida, patents are a key part of their overall assets. When patent rights are infringed upon, it can cause tremendous financial damage to the business — companies need to...
Going into business with one or more other people can be exciting, but it can also be a stressful experience when one or more of your partners does not live up to the terms of the partnership agreement. When one or more of the partners fails to abide by the terms of the partnership agreement, this is known as...
If you are thinking about starting a business, there are many things you need to know about the importance of hiring a lawyer. Many entrepreneurs in Florida have exciting and innovative ideas for creating a new business venture or running a business, but they may not have experience choosing a business structure. Also, they may not have experience handling...
Buying a business can be exciting, especially when you are purchasing a business that already has been operating for years and has a strong client base. At the same time, however, buying a business can have its limitations. When you are thinking about purchasing a business, it is important to think about protecting yourself from potential liabilities that you...
When you have a business partnership (or an LLC that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes), profits and losses typically need to be divided or allocated to the partners. This is typically done in a way that corresponds with each of the partners’ percentages of business ownership. If you want to divide or distribute profits...
Please note this blog post is written for employers, although we understand it may be of interest to employees as well. At this time, our firm represents business owners and employers. If you need assistance with a legal matter as an employee, please consult a firm that represents employees. Not all contributions to a business are financial. For example,...
Businesses take a lot of elbow grease to get up and running. After years of promotion and providing quality work, you might find that you grow so successful that you suddenly are in the cross hairs of some very unsavory people. Many businesses can go decades without confronting serious legal issues, but many eventually find themselves the targets of...