Copyright is an important type of intellectual property (IP). Specifically, copyrights protect original works of authorship as soon as the creator fixes the work in a tangible form of expression. Common examples of copyrightable works include: No matter what type of work you want to protect, registering your copyright is an important step to take to better protect your...
Continue ReadingA lot of acronyms can come out of the woodwork when an entrepreneur decides to start a new business. A new business owner might hear things about LLCs (limited liability companies), EINs (Employer Identification Numbers), and DBAs (“doing business as” names). But what’s the difference between a DBA and an LLC? The quick answer is that a DBA is...
Continue ReadingBusinesses change over time. It is very rare for the ownership of a company to remain the same over a long period of time, especially when there are multiple owners. Still, many business owners are unsure of how to change the ownership percentage of an LLC in Texas. In this article, we will discuss the two main ways to...
Continue ReadingWhen most people start a business, they don’t think about falling out with their business partners. On the contrary, this is a time of optimism and hope. But unfortunately, sometimes, business relationships do become strained. Below, we will discuss what happens when business partners decide to part ways and what you can do to protect yourself and your business....
Continue ReadingYou and your business partners put together an idea to make money, and you worked to make that idea come true. To achieve success, you had to pay attention to the details. However, remarkably few small business owners account for the future of the business’s ownership and continuity. A good buy-sell agreement does just that. In this guide, we...
Continue ReadingMost small business owners make the mistake of assuming that once they have set up a corporation or limited liability company, they and their personal assets are protected from liability. As a result, they do not take any further action to sustain limited liability protection. Or worse, they take actions that weaken limited liability protection, increasing the risk that...
Continue ReadingPeople enter into small business partnerships based on a common interest and a common vision. The hope for the future of your business tends to drive all decisions. But these halcyon days almost always pass and difficulties and disagreements arise. Therefore, the smartest foundational business decision you can make is to hope for the best and prepare for the...
Continue ReadingWhen we think of workplace sabotage, a disgruntled employee sabotaging the company usually comes to mind. But sabotage can also happen at the partner level. It is distressing, to say the least when your once-trusted partner is sabotaging the business you built together. At one point you both were of common mind with a common vision looking to build...
Continue ReadingThe creation of the limited liability company (LLC) as a business entity was transformative for small businesses. It took the best of the C corporation and partnership models and also perfected the intentions behind the S corporation. However, an LLC without an operating agreement is but a shell. To truly realize the potential that an LLC business model provides,...
Continue ReadingContracts form the foundation of all economic transactions, whether international commercial deals or weekly mowing of the front lawn. However, things don’t always go as planned. Therefore, when you rely on the other party to perform and they fail to do so, there could be a breach of contract and a claim for damages. In that event, what do...
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