COVID-19: Tips For Homeowners Unable to Pay Their Mortgage
Amid COVID-19, many homeowners are finding themselves unable to pay their mortgage Servicer call centers are currently overwhelmed; borrowers should try applying online through the servicer’s account portal. When making a request by phone or by letter, borrowers with...
Privacy Rights: Google Assistant
Court to Determine Claim of Google Spying via Smartphone Violates California and Federal Laws In effort to protect privacy rights, Plaintiffs sued Google based on claims that it’s Google Assistant feature is being used to illegally record and share user’s...
CARES Act: Free Credit Report Check Up
If you received an “accommodation” from a creditor or by the State of California to modify, withhold or delay debt payments then you should take advantage of the free weekly credit reports offered by Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. This is crucial to maintaining an...
Cancelling Gigs: COVID-19 Triggers Review of Force Majeure Clause in Contracts
Tours, festivals and one-off shows are cancelled for an indeterminable period worldwide. As a result, artists, sponsors, venues and insurance companies have their respective lawyers analyzing who is liable due to the pandemic. If the agreement follows California law,...
CARES Act and Accommodations for Debt Relief
Protecting credit rating in the eye of the pandemic storm The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a provision to protect one’s credit report even if they can’t pay their debts. This includes credit cards, mortgage, car loans and other...
States Can Infringe Copyrights
A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court opens the door for state’s to legally infringe copyrighted work. This includes music, video, art — all works that fall under copyright protection. The SCOTUS reasoned that there is insufficient evidence that states are...
Class Notes: Government & Social Influences on Business – Week 1
(For My Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Students in BUS 404, and Those Who Want To Come Along For the Educational Ride...) What is Capitalism: Individuals/Companies free to invest in all aspects of business. The U.S. is a mixed economy with elements of a Market-Based...
Holy Smokes, Batman – the Batmobile is Protected Under Copyright Law
The Batmobile is a protectable character under copyright law according to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. As a result, Bruce Wayne should become wealthier from all the royalties. The Court found that the Batmobile is "sufficiently delineated" to be recognizable by...
Protecting Trade Secrets Is Key To Business Survival
Trade secrets are invaluable to a business, but once they lose their protection, they cease being secrets. Moreover, placed in the wrong hands, they can serve as the fuel your competition needs to succeed. What are Trade Secrets? They include customer lists and...
Why Obtaining Federal Registration Over A “Descriptive” Trademark is With Celebrating!
In business, there are a couple of true "No-Nos". First, one should never ignore the federal or state tax collector -- they have collection powers that seemingly have no end. Second, don't select a name for your product or service that merely describes your product or...
Bikram Yoga ‘s Attempt To Own “The Sequence” Is a DownDog!
For all you Yogi's, you can get go DownDog without fear of a cease and desist letter from Bikram Founder, Bikram Choudbury. It seems the the man who created "The Sequence", a specifically orchestrated 26 pose flow in a 105 degree heat, bent backwards to stop other...
What’s In A Name: Business, Domain and Trademarks
When starting up a new business, it's important to do an expansive search to see whether the business name you seek is also available as a corporate name within your state, as a domain name (URL website), and as trademark in the industry or "classification of...