Legal Issues


Recent Legal Issues Articles

A Coupon for that Knish

Each day, Inc.'s reporters scour the Web for the most important and interesting news to entrepreneurs. Here's what we found today: ...  Read more

A Liability Case Reaches the Supreme Court

A New Jersey employee severed four fingers while using a device manufactured abroad. The Supreme Court will determine if a New Jersey court has jurisdiction ...  Read more

How to Reduce Employment Practices Liability Claims

Employment practices liability (EPL) claims are on the rise. And, this time, it’s the economy, stupid.  Read more

NYU Professor Implants Camera In Skull

A photography professor at New York University surgically...  Read more

Would You Fire Someone for Not Taking Enough Vacation?

A Nebraska county employee of more than 30 years is axed for letting his vacation time pile up.  Read more

Federal Court Protects E-mail Privacy

A recent court decision cites Fourth Amendment search and seizure provisions to protect e-mail privacy.  Read more

Man Fired for Failing to Pee on Demand

Ron Koonter says his shy bladder syndrome prevented him from complying with a random drug test. His doctor backed him up—but he was still fired.  Read more

Is Your Social Networking Policy Illegal?

Thousands of companies have rules about how employees use Facebook that could get them in legal trouble. But do you put up with angry rants about supervisors...  Read more

Employee Retaliation Suit Reaches Supreme Court

Eric Thompson was fired by his company three weeks after his wife, also an employee of the company, sued for gender discrimination. He claims it was no coinc...  Read more

Dealing With Disappearing Debtors

Norm Brodsky advises what to do when customers go bust.  Read more

What’s the Value of an A?

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten describes his efforts to get the Health Department's top rating.  Read more

Court Sides With Small Business in Predatory Pricing Case

A California Supreme Court ruling that cracks down on predatory pricing is being hailed as victory for small businesses.  Read more

Gas Station Cashier Fired for Wearing "Say No to Bongs" Shirt

Kenneth McAllister wore the homemade t-shirt to protest his employer's decision to sell bongs and bags of fake marijuana.  Read more

Man Sues Restaurant Over Artichoke

I'm all for adventurous eating. Monkfish liver? Love it. Trippa alla romana? Bring it on. A quivering mass of bone marrow, sprinkled with sea salt? Butter...  Read more

11 Things to Do When a Client Files Bankruptcy

Unfortunately, you can’t collect on the debt, but you can attempt to make a deal to get paid what is owed.  Read more

Labor Board Backs Workers' Right to Bad-mouth Bosses Online

In what could be a precedent-setting case, a federal agency says employees' right to gripe online is protected.  Read more

Employee Discrimination Case Reaches Supreme Court

A fired hospital employee and Army reservist in Illinois takes his case to the high court over the interpretation of the fabled “cat’s paw" theory.  Read more

Does Your Part-Time Employee Qualify for Overtime?

Laws that apply to employees who work even a few hours a week can be tricky to follow. As more businesses hire part-time help, here's how to avoid a problem.  Read more

Religious Discrimination Complaints On the Rise at Work

The EEOC is getting 'very aggressive in its investigations,' says one lawyer. Here's what you can do to protect yourself.  Read more

Do Employee Complaints Have to Be Written Down?

The Supreme Court hears a case on what constitutes a formal employee complaint filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Read more

Entrepreneur Wins $625 Million Payout From Apple

Yale University professor David Gelernter said Apple's software infringed on three of his patents. A federal jury agreed.  Read more

Supreme Court's Docket Puts Business in the Spotlight

A look at five pending cases that have the potential to change the way you do business.  Read more

Would You Refuse to Hire Someone Wearing Dreadlocks?

The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission is suing a Virginia company for denying a job to a Rastafarian who wouldn't cut his hair because of his reli...  Read more

An Entrepreneurial Safari

Each day,  Inc.'s  reporters scour the Web for the most important and interesting news to entrepreneurs. Here's what we found today: ...  Read more

Tennessee Ruling Makes Discrimination Cases Harder for Businesses

A state supreme court breaks from the established federal framework and puts a greater burden on employers to prove a discrimination claim is false.  Read more

Federal Regulations Costly for Small Businesses

Because many costs are fixed, small businesses pay about a third more per employee than larger companies, finds the SBA.  Read more

Senate Advances Small Business Aid Package

The bill, which includes a $30-billion loan fund, is now all but guaranteed to pass.  Read more

Small Businesses Rally to Fight New 1099 Rules

The new requirements -- a 1099 form for every purchase above $600 -- will cost them time and money, firms say. Congress will debate two possible solutions to...  Read more

Would You Challenge Taylor Lautner to Push-ups?

Twilight star Taylor Lautner is suing a California trailer company. The company's response: A PR stunt in the form of a push-up challenge.  Read more

FTC Settles First Case in New Crackdown on Fake Reviews

PR firm Reverb Communications posted phony positive reviews on iTunes without revealing it was being paid to do so.  Read more

Facebook Sues Start-up Teachbook Over Name

The online community for teachers has two employees, less than 30 users, and is yet to launch officially.  Read more

A Catch-22 for Oil Spill Victims

BP gives people looking for settlements a tough choice.  Read more

Technology Slavery

Are we giving up our very freedom for the latest, greatest tools? Read more

Lemonade Stand Goes Sour For Young Entrepreneur

A 7-year-old's lemonade stand in Oregon is shut down because she doesn't have a temporary restaurant license.  Read more

How to Comply With the Americans With Disabilities Act

Breaking down what the decades-old act means for small businesses.  Read more