Category: Business insurance

copyrights

Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents: Understand the Differences & What You Need

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

As a company owner, you may have accrued numerous assets after years in business. You may own real estate—to include your business site—company vehicles, a large amount of office property and inventory, and other investments that relate to your industry. What about intellectual property though? You, your business partners, and independent contractors working for you either temporarily or long-term may be busy creating items that are truly some of your most valuable assets, and they must be protected.

As you begin producing different types of work, innovations, and perhaps even major inventions, you may be confused about what security measures you need to take, and how to do so; however, with the expert legal assistance of a firm like Bolender Law Firm, you will have a better understanding of your options regarding materials, negotiating licenses, preparing applications for registration, and more.

The terms copyright and trademark are sometimes used interchangeably, but they actually denote very different types of intellectual property law, along with patents. We’ve included brief information regarding each, so you can think about what may apply to your needs, and what type of protection your intellectual property requires:

  • Copyrights – whether you are applying for your own or asking permission to use a copyright assigned to another entity, this grants exclusive rights to the creator of an expression of art, whether that may be a book or a screenplay, software, music, or more. Copyrights are covered for a period of 95 years if they were published after 1922, but before 1987. If they were developed but not actually published before 1978, the work is covered for the lifetime of the creator, and an additional 70 years after that.
  • Trademarks – this type of intellectual property protection becomes critical when you are creating a brand. By registering a trademark (such as a logo), you allow your company and its products to be distinguished from that of the competition; likewise, the service mark denotes the services you offer.
  • Patents – this license is reserved to grant exclusive rights for inventions—usually for about 20 years from the time of application. During that timeframe, others may not manufacture the invention for their own purposes, use it, or sell it.

The Bolender Law Firm can assist you in all intellectual property matters. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

business owners

Business Owners: Have You Updated Your Insurance Policies Lately?

Posted by Jeffrey Bolender on with 0 Comment

Owning a business is full of rewards and challenges—all of which you may experience daily. While in the conceptual stages, thoughts of running your own business may have entailed a much different type of luxurious, fantasy scenario, once you get down to the brass tacks of owning a company, it is easy to become mired in a long list of constant tasks, from employee scheduling to inventory and ordering, dealing with vendors, other businesses—and of course, the ever-necessary customers. Along with all of that comes a huge emphasis on managing finances and taking care of issues like insurance.

For the average small business there can be a variety of different policies required, and it is critical to be sufficiently covered—as well as to understand what types of coverages you have so there isn’t a misunderstanding later or a denial that could have been prevented; however, if you think the insurance company is denying you in bad faith, consult with an experienced insurance law firm like the Bolender Law Firm as soon as possible.

In the meantime, all insurance policies should be reviewed and updated if necessary at least once a year. Here are some typical policies a small business may need to consider:

  • General liability – this type of business insurance is critical in protecting you, as well as your employees—providing bodily injury and property damage coverage in the case of any claims that may arise. This type of insurance should cover expenses incurred due to such a claim, from any required investigations on the part of the insurance company to medical expenses, legal fees or settlements, and more.
  • Professional liability – meant to protect you and your business in the case of a claim brought against you when a client alleges there was negligence, this insurance could be critical to saving your company should an issue arise in the future. Professional liability policies can vary greatly too, so make sure to review and update yours yearly to make sure you have the proper coverage.
  • Workers compensation – as a business owner, this is one type of insurance you will probably always have to deal with as it protects your employees if they are injured on the job, insuring them for medical payments and lost income when they cannot work—either temporarily or permanently, depending on the severity of the case. Understand your policy, and work with your insurance agent to make sure you are properly covered according to the state law.
  • Property insurance – even if you don’t own the building where your business is located, you may have plenty of contents that need insuring. Stay up to date on your policy every year by reviewing what you may have added (or gotten ridden of) at your office that needs to be insured.

If you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm.  If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!