Legal

35 Legal Mistakes Every Startup and Growing Business Must Avoid

Ross Kimbarovsky — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 20:31:40 +0000

Discover the 35 critical legal mistakes startups and growing businesses often make. Stay informed, avoid pitfalls, and navigate your venture to success.

How to Avoid Legal Issues When Using Typefaces and Fonts in Your Small Business Logo

Ross Kimbarovsky — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:27:49 +0000

Whether you're a business owner or designer: if you want to avoid running into legal problems with your logo, this video is for you.

What Small Businesses Need to Know About Trademarks

Ross Kimbarovsky — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 17:08:56 +0000

Here are the basics of trademark law and 5 tips for leveraging trademarks in your small business.

Everything Marketers Need To Know To Avoid Violating Copyright Law

Ross Kimbarovsky — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:51:17 +0000

Your go-to-guide for respecting copyright law as a marketer.

The Logo Store Nightmare: Ready Made Logos Harm Your Business

Ross Kimbarovsky — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 15:14:12 +0000

You might be tempted to buy a ready-made generic logo design you found at an online logo store. Don't do it. Here's why...

How Your Small Business Or Startup Can Hire A Good Lawyer Without Losing Your Shirt

Ross Kimbarovsky — Thu, 30 May 2013 14:24:51 +0000

Will your business idea succeed? Take our quiz - completely confidential and free! Most business owners dread having to talk with and hire lawyers. Some fear they’ll end up paying exorbitant legal fees or that they’ll receive bad advice that will destroy their business (if you’ve watched the show Arrested Development and have seen Barry Zuckerkorn in action, you’ll know exactly what I mean). Others agonize over how to find a reasonably priced, competent lawyer. Much of the fear and worry is unfounded, but I’ve seen too many business owners suffer from incompetent and expensive legal counsel. In a minute, I’ll share tips on how your small business or startup can hire a good lawyer for your business. But first, I want to briefly mention why my insight could help you: for 13 years prior to crowdSPRING, I practiced law. During that time, I counseled and represented clients (from small businesses to internet startups to Fortune 100 companies) in transactional matters and in complex trials all over the United States. I’ve set at the table as a lawyer, and now, over the past six years, I have the perspective of an entrepreneur and small business owner. Entrepreneurs hate lawyers. But your experience can be different. Here are my tips on how your small business or startup can hire a good lawyer without losing your shirt: 1. How to hire lawyers that add value. I’ve met and have sat across the table from many lawyers who are deal-killers. Overzealous and often inexperienced, they focus on the wrong issues and forget that their client needs the deal to move forward. When you talk with lawyers you’re considering hiring, ask them about one or two complicated negotiations and how they overcame obstacles. Tip: Don’t make price your main criteria for hiring a lawyer. Often, the least expensive lawyers are also less experienced – especially in the areas where you may need help. Paying a cheaper hourly rate might feel good initially, but at the end, you may end up paying far more than if you hired an experienced (more expensive) lawyer in the first place. Also – be clear about your budget and expectations. Your lawyer should understand that your budget is limited and that they should not waste it on irrelevant details. 2. How to hire lawyers that are responsive to your needs. Your lawyer won’t be very helpful if they’re not responsive when you need them. Because many deals and transactions are time-sensitive, be sure that your lawyer will be there for you when you need them. Tip: Before working with a lawyer, communicate with them using different channels. For example, call them, email them, fax them, etc. Are they responsive across all communication channels? Are they uncomfortable working electronically via email? How quickly do they return your phone calls when you leave a voicemail? Can you reach them in the evening? What happens when they go on vacation, and you need their help? Also, talk to current and former..

Small Business Legal Issues: Trade Names, Logos and Trademark Law

Ross Kimbarovsky — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:12:15 +0000

Will your business idea succeed? Take our quiz - completely confidential and free! If you’re an experienced entrepreneur or business owner, you already know that protecting your brand is important to building your business and maintaining your customers’ trust. If you’re a first-time business owner writing a business plan and getting ready to start a business, you may not yet fully understand why protecting your brand through trademark law is important. A trademark identifies the product your company sells. For example, Apple is a trade name, while the iPhone is a trademark for Apple’s smartphones. Crucial brand elements like your business name, logo, and tagline should be protected so no other company can enter the market and use your brand identity to sell their product or service. One of the earliest steps you can take to protect your brand is to register your trademark. Watch the video for more details on these five tips, plus the trademark law basics for business. We discuss the details below. What is a Trademark? A trademark is a word, phrase, or logo identifying the goods or services’ source. Trademark law protects a business’s identity and brand by discouraging businesses from operating under business names or using logos that are likely to be mistaken for the name of an existing trademark. For a more complete definition, here’s how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office defines a trademark: “any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination, used, or intended to be used, in commerce to identify and distinguish the goods of one manufacturer or seller from goods manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods. In short, a trademark is a brand name.” A service mark is similar to a trademark – but it’s used to distinguish the services of one provider from services provided by others (and to indicate the source of the services). Free Business Startup KitReceive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors. How to Start a Business ChecklistStarting a Corporation Guide Is an LLC Right for You? Starting a Sole Proprietorship Starting Business Partnerships Creating a Powerful Pitch DeckGet your free startup kitFree Business Startup KitReceive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch deck to attract investors. How to Start a Business Checklist Starting a Corporation Guide Is an LLC Right for You? Starting a Sole Proprietorship Starting Business Partnerships Creating a Powerful Pitch DeckGet your free startup kitFree Business Startup KitReceive six actionable guides, including a how to start a business checklist, detailed comparisons of LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships to determine the best fit for your business, plus insights on crafting a compelling pitch..