Copyright Infringement has become a nuisance for small business owners. It’s not because small business owners never do anything wrong. It is because a small mistake can result in massive consequences. What is a Copyright? A copyright is a legal device that gives the holder the right to decide how, who, and when the […]
Registered Copyright: Cheat Sheet for Registration
A Registered Copyright is a valuable piece of intellectual property. What is a Copyright? A copyright is a legal device that gives the holder the right to decide how, who, and when the copyrighted content is used. There are two types of copyright: common law and registered. The common law copyright is automatic. That […]
Annual Report
Every year, the NC Secretary of State office requires businesses to file an Annual Report to maintain their active status. Fortunately, companies do not need to file their first year in existence. In North Carolina, the entity tasked with overseeing and regulating businesses is the Office of the Secretary of State, by authority of NCGS […]
Work Made for Hire: Employees
Work made for hire is an important consideration in companies with employees. This is an area of law dealing with copyrights Copyright Anytime a person creates something creative, he or she automatically gains a copyright over that content. However, there are a few exceptions to that rule. Work made for hire is one of […]
Your First Hire: Legal Steps
Your first hire is a scary step for any company. It comes with a lot of logistical challenges. Additionally, there are a lot of legal requirements that you have to follow or suffer hefty fines. What is a First Hire? A first hire is anytime you go from 0 employees to more than 0 […]
Your First Hire: How to be Ready
Your first hire is a scary moment in your company’s life. However, if you prepare properly, you can remove a lot of risk. What is a First Hire? It isn’t a dumb question. A first hire is anytime you go from 0 employees to more than 0 employees. These employees can be part-time or […]
Employee Competition: Can My Employee Steal My Clients?
Employee competition comes up a lot. However, few people understand what rules apply in this situation. What is Employee Competition? Employee competition is the act by an employee of working in or aiding a competitive business of the employer. For example, an employee working part-time at an employer’s direct competition. There is no minimal […]
Employees’ Social Media Use: Do’s and Don’ts
Employees’ social media use is a hot topic in law. As the definition of social media is warping and expanding, it is hard to know what you can and cannot restrict when it comes to your employees. Employees’ Social Media Use Social media use by your employees can be broken down into the following […]
Employee Performance Reviews
Employee Performance Reviews are a crucial part of a human resources department. They not only improve performance, but also cut down on the likelihood of successful unemployment claims against you. What are Employee Performance Reviews? Performance reviews consist of regularly meeting one-on-one with your employees. You or a trained member of your team should […]
Employee Owned Companies
Employee-Owned Companies are not for everyone. However, when the fit the situation, they can be incredible. What are Employee-Owned Companies? Employee-Owned Companies are exactly what they sound like. Employees own at least part of these companies. Usually, the employees actually own less than half of the company. Advantages The main advantage to having […]
Company Equipment Policy
A Company Equipment Policy is a part of your employment agreement package. However, it is usually separate from your typical documents you hand to all employees. What is a Company Equipment Policy? A Company Equipment Policy is a contract with your employees. It outlines how, when, and where your employees may use certain equipment. […]
Memorializing an Oral Contract
Memorializing an oral contract is a must if you’re going to use oral contracts at all. We recommend using written contracts whenever possible. However, if you can’t “get it in writing,” you should memorialize the oral terms after the fact. What is a Contract? A contract is a legal agreement between two or more […]