Newspaper Says We’re #1! Can I Reference it On My Ads?
Q. A recent local newspaper voted my company as #1 in the area. Can I reference the award on my advertisements, business cards and trucks?
A. Yes, but I would recommend that you first contact the newspaper to find out more about how they did the evaluation. (more…)
Updating Old Contracts with New Prices
Question: Some of my clients have been with me for over a decade. Prices have increased, but I haven’t changed the contract. Does it matter?
Answer: Yes. Presumably, when you began your business over a decade ago, you set your original price based on what you believed left you with a reasonable profit margin, after deducting expenses. While your customers no doubt (more…)
Protecting Logo Against Competitors
Qustion: The trucks we use have a very distinctive logo involving color and design. Can we protect them so no competitor can copy that design on its trucks?
Answer: Yes. Assuming there is no prior conflict, you may be able to register the design as a trademark logo. (more…)
Company’s Trademarked Name, Is it National or Local?
Question: I plan to expand my operations to another state this year. Is the trademark or trade name on my company’s name national? Or does it only apply locally?
Answer: Your company’s name is a tradename. While a trademark is used to identify and distinguish the trademark owner’s goods from those of another (more…)
Is a Verbal Agreement Worth the Paper it’s Written on?
Question: Is a verbal agreement worth anything? Am I always required to put service agreements in writing?
Answer: Contracts for services, which are made orally are just as binding as those made in writing. Oral contracts, of course, present a special challenge since (more…)
