legal services for innovators, start-ups & entrepreneurs
NFTs are hotter than hot. $2.5 billion of transactions in the first half of 2021. So, what’s the story with NFTs? And how do you monetize them? We’ll get to that second question, but let’s start from the beginning. And check the glossary — on the right or below, depending on your device — for … Read more
It’s Not a 501(c)(3) A 501(c)(4) organization is an organization not organized for profit and operated exclusively to promote social welfare. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations are different. 501(c)(3) organizations are organized for charitable purposes; 501(c)(4) for social welfare purposes Both types of organizations are exempt from federal taxes, but only the 501(c)(3) organizations may receive … Read more
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) gives workers who lose their health benefits and their families the right to choose to continue group health benefits for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death and divorce. Qualified individuals may be required to … Read more
It’s rare for a person to have a severe reaction to a vaccine. That’s comforting. Especially since there is very little recourse for a person who has had such a reaction. Vaccines are good. They can help prevent disease by training immune systems to recognize dangerous pathogens. COVID-19 vaccines are good. Not only can they … Read more
In an attempt to target funding to small businesses, the Biden administration has amended the rules governing the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). First, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees may apply during the period from February 24 to March 2. Second, effective in early March, the formula used to calculate the amount of the … Read more
You have a new business or you’re thinking about expanding your existing business. And you think it would be great to offer some shares or membership interest in your company to an outside investor. Nothing could be easier. Right? Wrong! You may be selling securities and will need to comply with federal and state securities … Read more
As provided in the federal No Surprises Act (the “Act”), effective January 1, 2022, patients who have certain unanticipated medical expenses will be protected from egregious medical bills. The most common covered scenarios are (a) emergency care provided at an out-of-network facility, (b) emergency care provided at an in-network facility by out-of-network and (c) out-of-network … Read more
A second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans — second draw loans — will be available soon. Probably in mid-January. The criteria for the second round differs significantly from the first, so read on. The recent relief and spending bill designated about $280 billion in PPP funding for first-time eligible borrowers. Funds are also … Read more
ComicMix, together with creators David Gerrold and Ty Templeton, created a Kickstarter campaign to fund the printing and distribution of a work, Oh, the Places You’ll Boldly Go!. The work was a clear nod to Theodor Geisel‘s [better know as Dr. Seuss] Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, a mash-up of the Seuss book with various … Read more
If a company wishes to raise funds by selling or offering its securities it must register those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, there are numerous exemptions to this requirement to register. There are different regulatory frameworks with different requirements and limitations, including the amount of money that can be raised, the amount … Read more
In an October 2020 decision, the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board refused to allow an applicant’s registration of the trademark “Millennial Falcon,” finding that Lucasfilm Entertainment Company had established the likelihood of confusion between “Millennial Falcon” and Lucasfilm’s “Millennum Falcon.” Of crucial importance: “Applicant believes that his mark “appropriately conjures up the phrase “Millennium … Read more
Generally speaking, if a company wishes to raise funds by selling or offering its securities it must register those securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission. However, there are numerous exemptions to this requirement to register. Although Reg D’s Rule 506 is the most widely used, there are also exemptions under Reg A, Rule 504 … Read more
Looper reports that the late Sir Sean Connery — who will always be my James Bond — had an unusual clause in his movie employment contracts. According to Alan Moore, the award winning comic book writer and creator of Watchmen, V for Vendetta, Batman: The Killing Joke and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, among many … Read more
It’s not unusual for an unmarried couple to buy a house or other property together. Usually, they do this as tenants in common. (You can check this on your deed or title insurance policy.) In a tenancy in common, each owner owns a share of the same undivided property. Each owner may, in the absence … Read more
Tom Lehrer, the 92-year old musical satirist (and inventor of the jello shot), has released all of the lyrics to his musical works into the public domain. In the absence of this release, his words would have remained copyrighted until at least 70 years after his death. “I, Tom Lehrer, and the Tom Lehrer Trust … Read more
If you’re buying or selling an entity – or its assets – you should be aware of a new notice from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). If the seller has received Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) funds, it must notify the funds lender that the seller intends to enter into a sales transaction that would constitute … Read more
We live in a litigious world. It’s not unusual for directors and officers of a company or other organization to be sued — sometimes simply — because they are directors and officers of the organization. Directors and officers may be sued for a variety of reasons, including: Breach of fiduciary duty which results in financial … Read more
Your business is organized as a limited liability company, corporation or other entity. Its legal name includes a suffix such as ‘Inc.’ or ‘LLC’. However for marketing or other purposes, you wish to use the name without the suffix. A problem? Yes. Background Individuals, acting by themselves or with a group, are generally responsible for … Read more
Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Groucho Marx Your business is doing well. So well, that you’re thinking it’s time to expand. One possibility is to slowly continue to build the business by adding customers or clients one at a time. Another possibility is to quickly add new customers or clients by … Read more
The U.S. military apparently needs an intellectual property lawyer. Although the United States Space Force, the newest branch of the U.S. armed forces was announced two years ago, no one bothered to register the trademark. Well, that’s not quite accurate. The U.S. did apply to use the name ‘Space Force’ on clothing, two months after … Read more