Intellectual Property Law
Damages for Copyright Infringement
Common law copyright protections have historically provided judicial recognition to creators of artistic and scientific works.
Eric Gros-Dubois
July 2, 2020
Transactional
What is the IRS Form 5472 in Florida?
If you are a U.S. company and have a foreign owner or foreign shareholders, then your company likely needs to file Form 5472.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 29, 2020
Transactional
What is an Impossibility Clause in a Contract in Florida?
The doctrine of impossibility applies in a situation where it is literally impossible for a party to a contract to perform their duties. The Florida court system generally has an interest in holding parties to the contract they sign and the duties assigned under that contract. Impossibility is a high standard, lack of performance cannot be excused by mere inconvenience, expense, or other non-impossible circumstances.
Oscar Gomez
June 29, 2020
Transactional
January 1st, 2020 Changes to the Florida Corporate Statute
The changes to the Florida Corporate Statute have gone into effect on January 1st, 2020. These changes are centered around the Revised Model Business Corporation Act.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 26, 2020
Transactional
What are the Advantages vs. Disadvantages of a Florida LLC?
Registering your business with the State of Florida is a crucial part of your company’s creation process. Often times, many individuals who are new to the business world opt for a limited liability company (“LLC”) when they intend to register their new business. Mainly because they desire something simple and less complicated, especially during the beginning stages. An LLC offers just that, not only is it easy to form, but it is also easy to manage.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 26, 2020
Estate Planning
What Are the 5 Things You Need in Your Estate Plan in Florida?
A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that allows you to decide how to distribute your assets after your passing. A Will contains the definition of assets, the names of beneficiaries, and sometimes includes guardianship designations and burial instructions. A Will also appoints an executor, or personal representative, of the will. A personal representative is someone who will pay remaining taxes after your passing and make sure the Will is being executed correctly and in accordance with your wishes.
Niuris Bezanilla
June 25, 2020
COVID-19
How does the CARES Act work in Florida?
The CARES Act provides several unemployment insurance benefit programs which include: the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”); the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”); and the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (“PEUC”) which are further detailed below.
Oscar Gomez
June 25, 2020
Intellectual Property Law
What is a Common Law Trademark?
A common law trademark is a right at common law to certain names, sentences or logos that you very often use in connection with your product. You can have common law trademarks rights without having your trademark federally registered. A common law trademark, however, can only be enforced within a certain area, where it is used.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 25, 2020
Tax Law
What Is an Agricultural Tax Exemption in Florida?
The Agricultural Tax Exemption is a property tax exemption that landowners may receive, if they can show that their land is being put to agricultural use. Different states define “agricultural use” in different ways. For example, Florida requires agricultural use to be bona fide. Fl. Stat. § 193.461. “Bona fide agricultural purpose” is defined as a “good faith commercial agricultural use of the land.” Fla. Stat. § 193.461(1)(b) (2009). Some states require the agricultural use to be for commercial purposes, and for some profits to be gained from the land.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 25, 2020
Trusts & Estates
What is a Living Will?
A living will is a legally binding document that explains an individual’s personal choices about end-of-life medical care in cases where they become incapacitated and can no longer make decisions for themselves. For example, the living will would state whether an individual would want to be kept alive through life support or whether they would not like to receive any life support, including artificial nutrition and hydration.
Niuris Bezanilla
June 25, 2020
Intellectual Property Law
What is the Penalty for Wrongly Using the (R) Symbol?
This symbol serves to signify that a particular brand is registered with the federal USPTO office. A simple application to have your trademark registered with the USPTO does not give you the right to use the ® symbol until the trademark has been officially registered.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 24, 2020
Real Estate Law
How do Non-Florida Residents Establish Residency in Florida?
If you reside in another state but wish to convert your domicile to the state of Florida, there are many ways you can make a showing that would reflect Florida residency, especially for purposes of homestead exemption or paying in-state tuition at a Florida university. Many individuals, including investors, choose to make Florida their state of domicile, mainly because Florida has no state income tax, as opposed to states like New York, Georgia or California.
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 23, 2020
Civil Litigation
Can I Get Attorney’s Fees in a Defamation Case in Florida?
Courts can award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party if both parties have agreed to such a condition in a contract, or if there is a specific statute that grants attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in a certain case. If both parties prevail in different legal arguments, the court will conduct a balancing test and distribute attorney fees using its own discretion.
Oscar Gomez
June 23, 2020
Trusts & Estates
Difference Between a Revocable and an Irrevocable Trust in Florida
A trust is an agreement between a settlor and a trustee, which directs the trustee to hold the settlor’s assets for the benefit of the settlor’s beneficiaries. In simple terms, an individual will establish a trust to hold their assets for their beneficiaries. The person establishing the trust, or the settlor, can create a trust agreement where he is both the settlor and the trustee and place all of his assets in the trust.
Niuris Bezanilla
June 23, 2020
Business Law
8 Consejos para Proteger tu Invento (Pt. 2)
#5 Solicitar una Patente es una Inversión en sí. Obtener una patente es un ejercicio
Silvino Diaz
June 22, 2020
Business Law
8 Consejos para Proteger tu Invento (Pt. 1)
La protección de los derechos sobre inventos, procesos, fórmulas y diseños le corresponde principalmente al régimen de Patentes. Las patentes forman parte del régimen de Propiedad Intelectual, donde se encuentran además: los derechos de autor; las marcas; y los secretos comerciales. Estos 4 campos están relacionados, pero no son lo mismo. Cada uno protege distintos aspectos de las creaciones humanas.
Silvino Diaz
June 22, 2020
Probate & Guardianship
What is Probate in Florida?
Probate is a court process that is used to determine the authenticity of a will as well as to administer the estate of the deceased individual. Through probate, the court supervises the payment of all the debts of the decedent to his creditors. Subsequently, the court administers the distribution of the assets of the estate to its beneficiaries in accordance with the will of the decedent. In case of an absence of the will, the court will arrange the asset distribution according to the laws of intestacy of the applicable state.
Niuris Bezanilla
June 19, 2020
Government
Why You Need A Federal SBA Certification Post Coronavirus Pandemic.
Small Business Association 8(a) Certification The Small Business Association (SBA) received significant media coverage
Eric Gros-Dubois
June 19, 2020
Government
What the Supreme Court Ruling on Employment Rights Means for LGBTQ workers under Title VII
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sex, now also protects gay, lesbian, or transgender employees from being fired based on their sexual orientation. The ruling also upheld lower court rulings saying that sex discrimination included sexual orientation discrimination.
Oscar Gomez
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
Negociar como “Freelancer” (Pt. 2)
Una manera engañosa de incentivar a la otra parte es a través de promesas. Esto ocurre cuando las partes diologan sobre proyectos futuros, a cumplirse si se realiza el actual negocio. Estas promesas no forman parte de lo que se está pactando, y que no hay garantía de que existirán. Esto se conoce como “pajas mentales”. Descarta todo lo que no sea objeto de la actual contratación.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
Negociar como “Freelancer” (Pt. 1)
Se negocia ante un conflicto de intereses opuestos; pues si no existiera conflicto, no hubiese necesidad de realizar concesiones. Pero sólo porque haya intereses encontrados, no significa que debe haber conflicto entre quienes los representan. Lo mejor que se puede tener al momento de negociar es una actitud de disposición.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
Cómo Proteger tus “Ideas”
El mercado se obsesiona con los unicornios – compañías que revolucionan industrias con sus innovaciones. Ejemplos comunes son Facebook, Uber y más recientemente, Snapchat. Sus historias de éxito hacen parecer que el ejercicio de concebir y llevar al mercado una idea sea más sencillo de lo que realmente es. Hay quienes, inspirados en estos unicornios (y quizás en pájaros en gestación), sueñan con generar una gran idea para presentársela a algún inversionista con la esperanza de que se la compre o le pague regalías sin más.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
El Diseño y los Derechos de Autor (Parte 2)
Aunque el smartphone es un “medio tangible” según la definición de derechos de autor, no es una “expresión de una idea” – es un objeto útil y funcional. Ahora bien, si coges ese mismo objeto del smartphone, y lo trasladas a una galería de arte, y lo exhibes como una obra de arte, ese objeto del smartphone se convierte en la expresión de una idea fijada en un medio tangible.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
El Diseño y los Derechos de Autor (Parte 1)
La propiedad intelectual consiste en cuatro regímenes de leyes que gobiernan distintos aspectos de las creaciones humanas. Por eso se le llama propiedad “intelectual”; nacen de la inteligencia e imaginación de los seres humanos. Estos regímenes de leyes son los derechos de autor, las marcas comerciales, los secretos de negocio y las patentes.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
El ‘Dream Team’ de un Artista Musical
El artista musical – sea banda o solista – opera como un comerciante. Su objetivo es entregar un producto de valor a un mercado particular. Pero al igual que cualquier negocio, el éxito del no depende del producto o servicio al vacío, o de una persona solamente. Junto con la música convergen elementos igualmente esenciales que merecen la atención de expertos, como el artista a su arte.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
COVID-19
What is the EIDL Loan?
The EIDL program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan allows the SBA to provide loans of up to $2 million to small businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury. The EIDL reopened its loan program to small businesses on June 15, 2020 after closing to most small businesses in May of 2020.
Oscar Gomez
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
Cómo Vender Diseño (Pt. 2)
Establece tu “rate” por hora: uno que cubra tu tiempo, materiales y toda la operación, salvando un porcentaje de ganancias. Cuando halles este número, podrás presentar con confianza ante cualquier cliente. No se trata de improvisar, se trata de cononcer tu “rate” por hora, y estimar a base de eso. Cobra a base de lo que cuesta toda la operación, porque de otra forma ese costo saldrá de tu ganancia.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020
Entertainment Law
Cómo Vender Diseño (Pt. 1)
El primer paso en una contratación de diseño no es enseñar el trabajo que harás. Es ganarte la confianza de la persona quien te contrata, y dar a entender en esos primeros minutos, que tú quieres hacer negocios, y que sabes hacer negocios. Es dejar saber que el cirujano, el ojo clínico y el especialista eres tú, por eso él debe depositar su confianza en tí para planificar un proyecto y llegar a una contratación.
Silvino Diaz
June 18, 2020