Having the ability to use someone else's work can be quite beneficial in business. You do have to follow laws that require you to get permission to use this work, but if you do it correctly, it can beneficial for everyone. Inc. suggests that when you secure...
Year: 2020
Understanding the rights and responsibilities of a fiduciary
A fiduciary is an attorney, professional or firm who works on behalf of someone else's best financial or legal interests. This organization or person must uphold ethical and legal responsibilities, act in good faith and preserve the client's trust. Review the common...
When someone uses your name or likeness without your permission
California has laws in place that protect you from having individuals or companies use your name or likeness for commercial or exploitative purposes without your consent. As a resident, you maintain statutory as well as common law rights in this regard. If anyone...
When do you not own the copyright to your work?
When you create your own audio, video, images or any other form of intellectual property, you typically expect that you can copyright it and later use that intellectual property to draw an income for yourself. In some situations though, you might not own the copyright...
Quality control in licensing agreements
Individuals who come up with a valuable intellectual property can reap great profits from licensing it out to another party like a manufacturer or a merchandising company. To help ensure the products the licensee creates are not substandard and harm the reputation of...
What are the rights and responsibilities of a fiduciary?
When a client appoints his or her attorney as a fiduciary, the lawyer has the authority to manage the client's assets and financial affairs. California law governs the actions of fiduciaries to protect clients and prevent disputes. Before taking on this role, review...
4 ways to ensure that your trade secrets remain secret
The protection of trade secrets is as necessary for a small business as it is for a world-famous company. You may not have to protect the recipe for a secret sauce but protecting your own trade secrets is essential. Here are four ways to go about that. Make a list The...
What should you include in a copyright notice?
Protecting content or product that you created allows you the freedom to continue designing your creations with peace of mind. An active and valid copyright may achieve this goal and enable you to maintain the rights to your ideas. While the process of seeking...
What is fair use?
The Copyright Office explains fair use as a legal doctrine that permits the unlicensed use of copyright-protected work. This is only under specific circumstances, however. The Copyright Act has a framework included to determine whether something falls under fair use....
What should a licensing agreement cover?
A licensing agreement provides another entity the right to use, sell, distribute, or profit from your intellectual property. Patents, trademarks, copyrights and other forms of IP can potentially drive profit for the owner with a carefully crafted license. Consider...