One of the most often overlooked legal issues for startup businesses relates to intellectual property protection, more specifically, trademarks. Not only can a registered trademark offer protection for your business’ brand identity, but it provides a new venture with a …
This past week I watched the new Martin Scorsese directed documentary on the late George Harrison, the former Beatle. Entitled “George Harrison: Living in a Material World”, the film followed Harrison through his youth all the way through …
Oh Dear Lord: George Harrison and “Subconscious” Copyright Infringement Read more »
As Minnesota continues its move to the forefront of the craft beer industry in the United States, a reminder of its not-so-friendly relationship with liquor interests reared its head this week. The new Ken Burns series “Prohibition” aired this week …
Recently, Samuel Adams (which operates under the legal name “Boston Beer Company”) began airing a television ad that claims credit for igniting America’s craft beer industry with the introduction of its Boston Lager in 1984 and suggests that it has …
Recently I wrote about the Minnesota’s new taproom license law, also known as the “Surly Law” (after Surly Brewing, the chief proponent of the law). While most of the focus in this past Legislative session was on the proposed state law …
It is a well known fact that a business entity’s Federal tax identification number – also called the employer identification number or “EIN” – is the “social security number” for the entity. Whether it be opening a bank account, entering …
Does Your Business Need a Minnesota Tax Identification Number? Read more »
While the 2011 Session of the Minnesota Legislature was highlighted by the budget battle with Governor Mark Dayton, there were numerous other non-budgetary measures enacted into law. One law change which received more coverage than any other was the new …
The Basics of Minnesota’s Brewer Taproom License Read more »
On July 1, 2011, when Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and the Republican-controlled Legislature reached an impasse in their negotiations over a budget for the 2011-12 biennium, Minnesota’s state government shutdown. State parks closed, highway projects stopped and only those functions …
How the Beer Industry Ended Minnesota’s Government Shutdown Read more »
My latest “Social Media Lawyer” column, I discuss social media policies and their importance, especially in the context of common interest communities. You can read the article here. A few months back I set up a Facebook page for my …
The Social Media Lawyer: What is a Social Media Policy and Why Is It Important? Read more »
In my 10+ years as a practicing business attorney, including the past 4+ working with a high volume of startups through my Firm’s INCubation Center program, a common misstep I see entrepreneurs make is to focus too much on the greatness …
Startup Steps #6: The Importance of Having a Good CFO Read more »