9 Jul 2019
Employers regularly disregards the differences between an independent contractor and an employee. Employers be warned. Such disregard could spell trouble and prove extremely costly. First, if the misclassification is intentional, then there are hefty penalties upwards of $25,000.00 which the employer will incurr. Second, and perhaps more importantly, if a plaintiff’s attorney gets a hold...
25 Feb 2019
In some cases, unlawful sexual harassment is a single traumatizing event involving a supervisor or boss. However, in most situations, sexual harassment consists of multiple incidents that together, create a hostile work environment. Because these incidents can happen over time, many people may not be able to provide evidence of the exact dates and times...
8 Feb 2019
You may have an idea, and you want to protect ownership of that idea. Before you start the complex process of applying for a patent, you should carefully determine whether your idea is patentable. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has strict eligibility requirements when it comes to patents, and the following is just...
4 Jan 2019
For entrepreneurs, shopping an idea to investors can be an exciting step toward seeing a creation come to market. Unfortunately, investor presentations can also carry the risk that your intellectual property will be co-opted, adapted, or outright stolen. Luckily, there are legal mechanisms for protecting inventors from such risks. Inventors across Orange County trust the...
17 Dec 2018
The economy of California has always been greatly dependent upon the ideas of inventors and entrepreneurs. Entertainment, technology, fashion, and many other industries are dependent upon new ideas. These ideas are intellectual property. Their owners have legal property rights in them, and it is important for these property rights to be protected. For decades, inventors...
10 Dec 2018
Perhaps never before has American workplace sexual harassment been scrutinized as closely as it has in the past several years. New discussion forums, protest marches, and support groups have brought to light terrible workplace conduct that had been hidden for years. It is important for all employees across America to realize that they have the...
19 Nov 2018
When you registered a trademark for your brand, you likely did so to prevent others from misusing it and misleading consumers. So why do so many companies give others permission to use their trademark by issuing a trademark license? If the situation is right, licensing your trademark can be beneficial and lucrative, and the following...
12 Nov 2018
Many new and up-and-coming companies want to share their new goods, services, or technology with the world. However, there are mistakes that startups can make that can put their intellectual property at risk. For this reason, each startup should have a carefully considered intellectual property strategy tailored to your company’s goals and industry. Startup owners...
17 Oct 2018
When you come up with the design for a new invention, the last thing you want to risk is someone else using your design to get the invention on the market. For this reason, you should seek a patent as soon as possible to protect your ownership of your intellectual property. Time is of the...
17 Oct 2018
While businesses in California can make employment decision at will and with little to no explanation, both state and federal laws prohibit an employer from discriminating against employees or applicants based on certain factors. Workplace discrimination comes in different forms, and each situation is unique. If you believe you were the victim of unlawful employment...
14 Aug 2018
What is Quid Pro Quo Harassment? Quid pro harassment is a specific type of workplace sexual harassment that occurs when an employer conditions certain employment-related decisions upon the performance of sexual favors. Quid pro quo harassment can only occur if the person suggesting the exchange is a supervisor of the employee at whom the harassment...
9 Aug 2018
There are different types of legal protections for the intellectual property (IP) of California business owners. Choosing the most effective protection for your IP is critical, as the very success of your business can be on the line if certain information is misappropriated. Many companies choose to protect sensitive information as trade secrets. California adopted...