Legal Issues


Recent Legal Issues Articles

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

4 Worst Legal Mistakes a Family Business Can Make

Too many family businesses don't even know these simple issues are problems--until they find themselves in legal hell.  Read more

How Travis Kalanick Decided to Take On the Taxi Industry 

Travis Kalanick, the founder of Uber, talks about the day he knew his luxury cab service was a disruptive technology company that needed a fearless leader.  Watch video

Making the Most of Your Employee Perks

Do you know how to get the most out of the benefits your company provides? Here's the ultimate check-list.  Read more

When Trademark Enforcement Goes Too Far

You can always enforce your trademarks, but should you? Here are three tips to help you decide when it's worth it.  Read more

JOBS Act Approved by Senate

Despite delays and opposition from several Democrats, the Senate voted to move the JOBS Act forward on Wednesday morning.  Read more

Surviving (Your Company's) Near-Death Experience

When you are up against a wall, you can still make the best of a tough decision. Here are 4 ways to keep your dream--and your business--alive.  Read more

4 Website Blunders to Avoid

Privacy policy missteps have led plenty of start-ups into hot water. Here's how to avoid a legal (and public relations) nightmare.  Read more

The Sane Way to Handle March Madness

A NCAA basketball brackets pool is a great way for employees to bond. It can also be a great way for a careless boss to get in trouble.  Read more

A Silicon Valley Tale of Humiliation and Revenge

He was fired from the company he helped create, YouSendIt. Then the cyberattacks started.  Read more

7 Ways to Bulletproof Your Business

Legal matters may be daunting for the inexperienced, but that's no excuse for failing to make sure your venture is on the right side of the law, warns Rocket...  Read more

Hourly Wages? There’s a Lawsuit for That

Chances are, you lack the expertise and tools to navigate the intricate details. Here's how your business might be at risk.  Read more

Lessons You Can Learn from Apple’s iPad Woes

As iPads are being seized by authorities in China, you may be wondering how to protect your brand globally. Here's what you need to know.  Read more

My Board Wants a New CEO

You've built your company from the ground up, but now are being pushed out. Step One: Get a lawyer. Then what?  Read more

Business Lesson From Beyonce and Jay-Z

Can you really trademark a baby’s name? Absolutely. Why would you want to? The answer is more applicable to your business than you may realize.  Read more

3 Ways to Shrink Your Start-up Legal Costs

The average legal bill even before VC financing can run more than $20,000. Why pay that when DIY options abound?  Read more

7 Office Space Traps to Avoid

You just closed a small financing round, hired some new team members and are looking to move into a new office space. Here are seven things to avoid when sig...  Read more

8 Interview Questions You Should Never Ask

They seem like friendly, harmless queries, but they can land you in a serious legal tar pit. Here's how to learn safely what you need to know.  Read more

Don't Want to Wait to Cash Out?

I've seen founders get an early share of the upside using this strategy--without putting their companies in danger or angering their investors.  Read more

Case Study: To Sue or Not to Sue

The rival: enormous. Its product: disturbingly similar. The question: Should Mixed Chicks get into a legal battle with a multibillion-dollar giant?  Read more

Ask Inc.: Can a New Hire Sign a Non-Compete Later?

Inc.com columnist Jeff Haden is taking your start-up questions. Up this week: How to handle an employee who won't agree to a non-compete.  Read more

The Employees Most Likely to Embezzle

A new study, which fingers some unlikely suspects, reports that loss due to embezzlement is down slightly this year.  Read more

Raising Money? Don't Get Ripped Off

Before you look for venture capital, you'd better have a great venture lawyer, and be prepared to keep her in the loop.  Read more

Big Money for Cheap Legal Services

Rocket Lawyer, which offers free legal documents and subscriptions for cheap legal advice, has raised $10.8 million.  Read more

China’s Bubble Economy: What it Means to Your Business

Beijing is nursing a real-estate bubble proportionately larger than our own in 2005. If it bursts, the aftershock will hit every business in the U.S.  Read more

Close a Whale of a Deal

So, you've landed a huge enterprise client. Here's how to close the deal without getting stuck in a legal maelstrom over the contract.  Read more