Legal Issues


Recent Legal Issues Articles

Do You Always Tell Employees the Truth? You Should.

Even if you face something as difficult and stressful as having to close a business, you have only one choice: Do it badly, or do it right.  Read more

14 Legal Tips for Starting Up

Starting a company means lots of surprises, but a lawsuit shouldn't be one. Successful young entrepreneurs explain what they wish they knew about the law whe...  Read more

How Not to Get Burned in a Handshake Deal

It's simple: Don't do those kinds of deals. Here's how to get them in writing to avoid disagreements later.  Read more

Inside the Battle for Internet TV

As more consumers tune in to watch network television online, networks and start-ups are butting heads over ownership of live Internet TV. Here are the curre...  Read more

SOPA Lives On ...Through Google

Google, taking cues from SOPA, will begin demoting websites that pirate content.  Read more

Why Those Cease-and-Desist Letters Aren't All Bad

In a weird way, William Gilligan and Mike Ferneman figure, attention from lawyers means they have hit the big time.  Read more

Consumer Groups Blast Companies for Violating Kids' Rights

Seventeen groups have filed joint complaints to the Federal Trade Commission, claiming that several major corporations are targeted kids illegally.  Read more

Patent Research Just Got Easier

An IP lawyer dishes on Google's search tools for patent-seekers--and what every start-up should know before heading down that path.  Read more

But Is it Legal? Dogs in the Office

Lots of cool start-ups allow employees to bring their pets to work. But what's good for the pet lover might not be so good for the company.  Read more

Gaming Industry Haunted by Safety Concerns

It's never been a better time be a game developer. It's also never been more complicated. When building games, founders must keep young players safe--and sta...  Read more

Small Business Riled by Credit Card Fee Deal

A landmark class action settlement returns billions of dollars to merchants and allows them to add surcharges to Visa and MasterCard transactions. But does i...  Read more

Is Paul Ryan Your Candidate?

A budget-hawk congressman who has spent virtually his entire career in Washington is now the GOP standard-bearer for fiscal conservatism. What would that mea...  Read more

2 Rookie Mistakes Veteran Entrepreneurs Make

When young entrepreneurs make mistakes, they might get a pass. But veteran entrepreneurs, beware: When we do it, chances are, we're not getting off so easily.  Read more

Poker Site Forced to Ante Up $731 Million

PokerStars, accused of money laundering, settles with the Department of Justice to buy its competitor, Full Tilt Poker, and to pay out balances owed to custo...  Read more

5 Secrets to Hiring Employees Who Last

You have to approach hiring as carefully and unemotionally as you would any other long-term investment. Here's how I do it.  Read more

Shifting Opinion Indicator: Companies Backing Gay Marriage

Why are so many companies coming out against DOMA? History suggests some answers--including a seismic shift in national opinion on gay marriage. Small busine...  Read more

Why You Should Say What You Pay Employees

Being open about employees' pay is better for morale than being secretive. Here's how to pull back the veil just enough.  Read more

Secrets of a Master Negotiator

Use these skills from a former trial attorney to increase your ability to negotiate a deal.  Read more

6 Essential Tools for Launching a Start-up

OK, so it isn't exactly the fun part of forming a company, but getting the legal stuff right is crucial. Here are some tools to help.  Read more

The Reality of Protecting Your Company's Secrets

Patents: they're the building blocks of innovation. But there are a lot of things a patent can't do. Here's a primer on how (and why) they actually work.  Read more

How to Fight On Online Smear Campaign

When a competitor posted shocking and personal accusations against Veritas Prep, Chad Troutwine's company, he wasn't about to back down. Here's what happened...  Read more

Knowing When to End a Partnership

Unfortunately it can take some time before you realize that a business partnership isn't built to last, and hopefully you have documents in place to mitigate...  Read more

Supreme Court Backs Obamacare

The Supreme Court has upheld the Affordable Care Act in a historic 5-4 decision; small business owners are split in their feelings about the ruling.  Read more

How ChicoBag Battled Big Plastic

When three major plastic-bag makers filed a lawsuit against ChicoBag, the company's founder, Andy Keller, launched his own offensive.  Read more

4 Supreme Court Decisions That Matter to You

A health-care ruling is on everyone's minds. But it's already been a momentous term for the high court. Here's how its decisions will affect small business a...  Read more

Think the Government Can Help You? Think Again

Washington can't fix the economy. So we'll be counting on entrepreneurs and innovators like you to do it.  Read more

Inside the Supreme Court Health-Care Decision

In a matter of days, the U.S. Supreme Court will likely issue a decision affecting nearly one-fifth of the nation's economy. Here's what you need to know.  Read more

Why I Support the Affordable Care Act

Mark Hodesh, owner of Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan, explains why the Affordable Care Act is good for small business.  Read more

Why I Am Fighting the Health-Care Law

There are a lot of things wrong with Obamacare. It means more taxes, more regulation, and lots more red tape. Here's why I got involved.  Read more

Is Your Home-Based Business Illegal?

Hey, apartment entrepreneurs: You might be breaking the law. Or several laws. Here's your legal checklist for running a business from home.  Read more

Couchsurfing Dilemma: Going for Profit

The website's goal was to connect people, not make money. How would user react to a new, for-profit business model?  Read more

How I Built a Tech-Savvy Law Firm

Inc. 5000 Applicant of the Week, Mathew Higbee reveals why he built a traditional law firm around new technologies.  Read more

Problem-Solving Strategies 

Advice from Christopher Kelly, co-founder of Sentry Centers meeting rooms, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council.  Watch video

Great Bosses Don’t Go Undercover

If you need a disguise to learn the truth about your company, you're doing something wrong. Here's how to do it right.  Read more

Would You Fire Someone for Blogging About Your Job Offer?

A reporter announces he's gotten his dream job on his blog only to have the company rescind the offer in response. Who's in the wrong?  Read more