Mum’s the Word: Non-Disclosure Agreements
The overall purposes of an NDA are to protect confidential information, intellectual property rights, customer communications, and temper expectations. NDAs send a message, and they create a legal mechanism to protect ideas and know-how from being ripped off
Did You Notice? Copyright Attributions for Creators
I got a frantic call awhile back from a new client who told me she was facing a “copyright deadline” and was “running out of time” and didn’t think there was anything she could do about it. When I pressed her on what ‘it’ was she said “you know, everything…the copyright, I mean. I thought […]
Have We Got A Deal? Essential Elements For Any Contract
What’s A Contract? A contract is simply an enforceable agreement, meaning it represents a promise or a set of promises for which the law provides remedies if breached, or which the law can compel to be honored as a recognized obligation. That’s all it is; it’s what every contract boils down to, and it’s what […]
Thou Shalt Not: Restrictive Covenants And Their Enforceability
Restrictive covenants are contractual agreements that serve to prevent individuals from doing or saying certain things by virtue of their relationship with another party. They come up primarily (but not solely) in the context of employment or services agreements and govern behavior both during and after the termination of such agreements. Restrictive agreements are commonplace […]
Thailand’s Privilege Visa Program: A Sound Investment, Or Just Another Rip-off?
Expatriates looking to relocate to Thailand have a number of immigration options available to them depending upon their intentions, their resources, and their tolerance for risk. If you’ve been offered employment here, or you’re interested in starting up your own business that you plan to operate yourself or with some partners, you have little choice […]
Writers’ Rights And Responsibilities
If you’ve written a manuscript that’s gotten the attention of a publisher and you’ve been presented with a book publishing agreement, congratulations! You’ve accomplished something many writers don’t, and chances are you’re already represented by a literary agent, or maybe a lawyer, who has already explained all of this to you. But if it’s still […]
The Case Act: Alternative Adjudication For Copyright Disputes In The United States.
It’s said that Horse Racing and Copyright Litigation are the Sport(s) of Kings, meaning its not for poor folks or those on a budget. That’s unfortunate because if you’re a creator whose rights have been infringed resulting in a loss to your bottom line, it can be both disheartening and cruelly ironic to be told […]
Loose Lips Sink Ships: Protecting Trade Secrets
LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS: PROTECTING TRADE SECRETS Most new businesses spring from a good idea; a “Eureka!” moment about how to do something that nobody’s ever done before, or maybe how to do it better than anyone else ever has. Perhaps it’s a new product or a service that will capture peoples’ imagination and attention […]
Kicking And Screaming In The Land Of Smiles
So you’ve made your way into Thailand, legally, and you figure you’re all squared away with the immigration authorities. Well, maybe not. While the vast majority of short-term visitors enter and leave the kingdom without incident or concern, its ironically the case that foreigners who have taken the time and effort to obtain more complicated […]
Perception And Reality: Global Awareness And Respect For Intellectual Property Rights
The World Intellectual Property Office just released the results of their first-ever global survey of more than 25,000 respondents in 50 countries around the world regarding consumer perceptions and awareness of intellectual property rights. Five categories of intellectual property rights were selected for the survey: copyrights; designs; geographical indications; patents; and trademarks. Although well worth […]