Articles Posted in Business Law

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In general, the interested parties in litigation engage in some sort of “alternative dispute resolution,” or ADR, in order to resolve disputes. In fact, ADR may be used to settle cases that are still pending in court. Both the judicial and legislative branches of government have established new programs in order to promote judicial economy. There are both general and specific applications of the alternative dispute resolution. For example, the United States District Court for the Central District of California offers three options. First, a settlement conference with the district judge or magistrate who is assigned to the case. Second, a mediation with a neutral selected from the Court Mediation Panel. Third, a private mediation.

The courts can use various sanctions to urge the interested parties to engage in ADR. For example, sanctions may include imposing court costs, awarding legal fees, contempt, denial of trial de novo (amounting to confirmation of an arbitrator’s award), and dismissal of the pending litigation. However, they can only use these methods in limited circumstances and pursuant to applicable guidelines.

The trial courts have been allowed to use sanctions to force participation in alternative dispute resolution (e.g., arbitration or mediation). The sanctions that were used, included, contempt, denial of trial de novo, striking of pleadings, and dismissal. Yet, sanctions for failure to attend mediation cannot be imposed without notice and hearing. For example, in Rizk v Millard, 810 S.W. 2d 318 (Tex. App. Houston, 14th Dist., 1991), the Court of Appeals held that a trial court judge’s order striking the pleadings of a defendant, after a hearing in which it was determined that defendant violated a compromise agreement, when there was no pending motion to strike, no notice to defendant, and no hearing, violated due process. Although, it is rare, but in some case, the court may consider the argument that opposing counsel should be sanctioned for the failure to attend mediation or arbitration.  The dismissal of a case is rare as the court has the option to impose additional costs and attorney’s fees on the recalcitrant party or his/her attorney for their failure to participate in such proceedings.

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The purchase of commercial general liability and umbrella insurance policies are ways to protect your business from liability. However, these types of policies have not adapted to protect policyholders from certain types of cyber liability.  This issue was recently exposed in a case against Urban Outfitters, Inc., and its subsidiary, Anthropologie, Inc. (collectively “Urban Outfitters”). Urban Outfitters found itself with no suitable insurance coverage when facing several lawsuits for privacy infringement that resulted from credit card transactions. Many businesses collect customer data and infringements of customer privacy may not be covered by traditional insurance policies. Do you run a business that collects consumer data? Are you unsure how far your insurance coverage extends in protecting against consumer data breaches? If so, then you may contact us to speak to an attorney about whether you should obtain cyber liability insurance.

What Was the Issue in the Urban Outfitters Case?

In OneBeacon America Insurance Company v. Urban Outfitters, et al., Urban Outfitters was sued in three different states for consumer privacy breaches. Urban Outfitters was sued because of its practice of collecting consumer zip code information when processing credit card transactions. This practice violated multiple consumer privacy laws. Urban Outfitters then looked to its insurance company to defend the multiple lawsuits. However, the insurance company claimed that its general liability policy did not cover that kind of privacy breach. The federal court in Pennsylvania agreed, and held that the insurance company was not obligated to defend Urban Outfitters in any of the lawsuits. The general liability policy only covered “oral or written publication of material that violates a person’s right of privacy,” and even though Urban Outfitters violated consumer privacy, it never published that material.

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In recent times, a significant amount of business is conducted online.  The Internet connects a business to customers anywhere in the world. What happens when a dispute arises between a business in one state and a customer in another? If the customer wants to bring legal action against the business because of a transaction that occurred online, where does the customer file the action? The answer may depend on the type of website. The courts have created the distinction between active and passive websites. When a transaction occurs through an interactive website, the business may be subject to the jurisdiction of the state where the customer accessed it. Is your business developing a website? Did you know that an interactive website may subject you to the jurisdiction of any state? If so, then you must understand the difference between active and passive websites, and how they may affect your legal rights.

What Is the Active and Passive Distinction?

An interactive or active website is one where business transactions can occur through the website or information can be exchanged to solicit business. On the other hand, a passive website is one that is used to post information for potential customers, but it does not allow for interaction. A passive website is similar to an advertisement. The distinction is crucial because courts will confer personal jurisdiction over companies that maintain active websites in the state where the consumer is located. Active websites include sites that foster online sales, sites that take measures to solicit business in a particular forum, and the use of a third-party site to sell an item. Not every website fits neatly into these two categories, and issues arise when the website falls between the two.

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Since the 1930s, the act of publicly raising money for a startup business has been outlawed. Now, with the implementation of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”), in 2012, public crowdfunding is legal and encouraged. Startup companies are no longer confined in the resources and opportunities available to raise capital. Private companies can now publicly advertise that they are raising capital and collect investment funds through online crowdfunding services. The JOBS Act allows for two different ways in which a company can utilize this new crowdfunding opportunity. Is your startup looking for an infusion of capital? Are you considering crowdfunding as an option? If so, then you must understand how Title II and Title III of the JOBS Act apply to your startup.

What is Title II?

Title II of the JOBS Act now allows a private company to solicit and advertise investment opportunities to the general public. But, Congress left it up to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to regulate the rules. The SEC has changed Rule 506 of the Securities Act of 1933 to allow for this new public advertising provided that, “the issuer takes reasonable steps to verify that the investors are accredited investors.” Rule 501 defines accredited investor in three different ways: (1) an individual whose net worth or joint net worth with a spouse exceeds $1 million; (2) an individual with an annual income more than $200,000; or (3) a joint annual income with a spouse over $300,000. In addition, issuers must previously file with the SEC that they are claiming this new public solicitation exemption. The penalty for not following these requirements is being banned from fundraising for a year.

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In recent years, social media has allowed users to instantly communicate with each other. Social media also provides a low cost and high-yield forum for communications. Because of these effects, social media is becoming the preferred way for advertisers to reach customers. A marketing campaign that includes social media can greatly enhance a company’s brand exposure.  However, there are several legal and regulatory issues that arise when using social media for advertising. When using social media tools like hashtags and facebook pages, advertisers should monitor their copyrights and trademarks and comply with state and federal regulations.  Is your company beginning a new social media advertising campaign? Are you trying to brand your company with hashtags and handles?  If so, then you should contact us to discuss the legal issues.

What is a Hashtag and How Is It Used in Advertising?

A hashtag is a form of metadata made up of a word or phrase that is prefixed with the symbol “#” used by a social media site to create a searchable keyword. Hashtags are commonly used to direct potential customers to others discussing the same hashtag. Any user could create a hashtag with your company’s name or one that infringes on your intellectual property. Most social networks have policies that prohibit trademark and copyright infringement. Be sure to check these policies and the procedures for reporting abuses. Yet, not every third-party use of a trademark is necessarily an infringement if done under the fair-use standard. If a third-party is using a hashtag or handle that refers to your trademark, it may not be an infringement if used only to join a conversation, and that user is not claiming to be the owner of the trademark. Further, you can actually trademark a hashtag with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for additional protection. A mark including the “#” symbol can be registered as a trademark if it functions as an identifier of a good or service.

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In the past, to start a business you had to find a location, rent space, and open your doors to the public. Today, many entrepreneurs can do it all online by advertising, communicating with customers, and managing transactions using the web. Many entrepreneurs are interested in starting a new business with a strong online presence. There are several steps that one must take to start a business, plus additional considerations to comply with online business laws. Are you ready to create an online business? Are you unsure which laws you need to be aware of for your e-commerce website?  If so, then you need to know the process to start a business and the additional issues that apply to e-commerce.

How Do I Start An Online Business?

The Small Business Administration recommends a ten-step process to start a new business.  First, write a business plan.  This is your general outline as to the identity of your new company and the structure you are going to build to execute your plan.  Second, get the proper assistance and training. No one knows everything and connecting with mentors and experts can help you get off on the right foot.  Third, choose your location. If your company is 100% online, you still need to determine the types of customers you plan on attracting and to what areas you plan on making deliveries.  Fourth, finance your business. Whether you choose traditional financing from a commercial bank or more creative methods (e.g., crowdfunding), make sure to do your research and figure out what works for your company.  Fifth, determine the legal structure of your business. There are many types of entities you can create (e.g., LLC or Corporation). Each entity creates different levels of liability and tax obligations.  Sixth, register your business name with the proper state agency (e.g., Secretary of State).  Seventh, get a tax identification number (a/k/a EIN) by registering with the Internal Revenue Service.  Eighth, register with state and local tax agencies (e.g., Franchise Tax Board, a/k/a FTB). In general, each state has its own tax laws, so make sure you know the obligations within your state.  Ninth, obtain business licenses and permits.  You should keep in mind that state and federal agencies may require different licenses and permits. Finally, you may need to hire employees or independent contractors.

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Companies, old and new, now have the opportunity to raise funds through a unique technique—crowdfunding. Although, this is a twist on the traditional investment model, crowdfunding allows companies and individuals to fund their new ideas and business ventures by seeking investments from the general public. This unconventional approach to the well-known investment structure allows new business to gain financial support. Do you have a new idea that you would like to fundraise? Are you a company that would like to launch a new product? Do you need financial support to help propel your latest venture? If so, then crowdfunding may help your entrepreneurial efforts.

What Is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is the practice of fundraising a new company, idea, project, or venture through large numbers of people. These people typically donate small amounts that add up in the aggregate. Unlike the investment structure that appeals to traditional investors, the general public fundraises projects. Crowdfunding has begun to gain momentum and exposure after the passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act. This law was passed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs jumpstart their business. Both private and public companies may take advantage of this capital-raising model. Crowdfunding is unique because although it does allow for a company to use outside resources to fund a project, however, the company does not have to make an initial public offering, register as a public company, or meet the requirements of a traditional publicly-traded company. Also, unlike a public company, which receives outside investments on an on-going basis, crowdfunding efforts are limited in time. That is, they may not continue forever. An entity must raise its goal amount by a specified end date. Otherwise, the company must offer to return all investments made under that project.

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A corporation’s trade secrets are its lifeblood. Indeed, it is through this information that a company generates a profit and maintains its reputation in the industry. A trade secret includes any unique information that carries value. There are both state and federal laws which pertain to trade secrets. Unfortunately, federal laws do not provide strong protections. This has weakened U.S. companies that have fallen victim to international trade secret misappropriation.  In response, since April 2014 the U.S. Senate has been considering the Defend Trade Secrets Act to provide stronger national protection for domestic corporations.  Nonetheless, companies can take steps to establish internal protections for their trade secrets.

A. Trade Secrets Status

A corporation cannot claim a trade secret if it is publicly known information. Most importantly, it must be information that is not available to competitors. For example, the recipe for Coca Cola is a trade secret. In fact, this recipe is arguably the most expensive trade secret in the world. Coca Cola could not claim its recipe as a trade secret if it was readily available to Pepsi.  Any information that a corporation freely provides to customers, trade associations, outside parties, or the general public cannot constitute a trade secret.

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Employees, in the course of their employment, will often have broad access to company files.  If employees are terminated or seek other employment, such access can become problematic.  Indeed, companies store sensitive and commercially valuable information on their servers. Employee misuse of these files can substantially weaken a company’s economic viability and threaten its progress.  In a recent court decision, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California held that a former employee who accessed an employer’s servers using his login information was not liable for unlawful hacking. The court explained that the employee had not violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”) or the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (“CDAFA”).

What is the holding in Enki Corporation v. Freedman?

According to the record, Enki Corporation had entered into a contract with Zuora to provide certain consulting and information technology services. As part of these services, Enki installed a computer resource and performance monitor on Zuora’s network. Additionally, Enki contracted with Keith Freedman, a former employee, to provide consulting services for Zuora. Enki subsequently terminated its contract with Freedman when it discovered that Freedman was speaking negatively about Enki’s services. Freedman had also accessed the monitor Enki installed on Zuora’s network using his employee login to download Enki’s proprietary information (e.g., private company files and data) from the servers. The court held that this did not violate the CFAA because Enki had failed to show that Freedman accessed the computer system without authorization. Since the CFAA is aimed at regulated access to protected data, not the misuse of such data, where employers lawfully access servers, there is no CFAA violation. As for the CDAFA claims, the court also did not find a violation because Freedman did not have to “hack” into the system because he did not have to override a computer code. He simply logged in using his employee login information.

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With the advent of virtual currency, consumers can now conduct entire transactions online without the burden of having to seek a common currency. Bitcoin has spread across the world as a popular form of this currency. In turn, transactions can now take place without switching from one form of currency to another (e.g., conversion from U.S. Dollar to Euro). On March 25, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued guidelines regarding its approach to virtual currency, such as Bitcoin. Under these guidelines, the IRS will treat virtual currency as property, not currency, for federal tax purposes. Accordingly, the tax principles that typically apply to property will now apply to transactions involving virtual currency.

What Is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a form of virtual currency.  An unknown individual using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto created Bitcoin in 2009. This virtual currency allows for online transactions without bank issued transactions fees. People store their Bitcoins in a “digital wallet” on a personal computer or on the cloud. This serves as an online bank account, which can send and receive Bitcoins. Then, people use this currency to conduct transactions. However, unlike funds stored in a traditional bank account, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) does not insure Bitcoin wallets. Furthermore, transactions can now take place entirely anonymously. Online consumers do not have to provide bank accounts or other financial information. Therefore, it becomes nearly impossible to trace transactions using virtual currency. Bitcoin is becoming increasingly popular and more merchants accept this currency for all types of transactions. International transactions can also take place without fees from foreign countries or conversion fees. Consumers can also “mine” Bitcoin, which involves competitions to solve complex computer-based math problems to win additional Bitcoins. Bitcoin is also a valuable investment, with people purchasing Bitcoin to profit from increases in its value.

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