Can I run a criminal law practice out of my apartment? [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 23 answers

Is it illegal for a business to close earlier than the closing time posted on their door? [more inside]
posted on Dec 31, 2007 - 44 answers

Do you use a virtual office? [more inside]
posted on Nov 18, 2007 - 4 answers

How do I become a business tycoon? [more inside]
posted on Sep 16, 2007 - 22 answers

I'm considering starting an adult internet dating service in the US. What legal implications do I need to consider? (Some mildly NSFW details follow). [more inside]
posted on Jun 19, 2007 - 8 answers

I have one question which has three related parts: Q1. What companies are out there which provide the technology to operate a phone sex business where I can concentrate on marketing and they take care of all the backend processing allowing the individual phone sex operators to dial in from their own home and talk with their clients who are charged per minute ? I do not want to personally keep or maintain the software myself. I want to outsource this. So the sex operators would "clock in" at will and recieve calls at any phone they like. This software should also use some sort of accounting to keep track of time spent for each operator. Q2. Also, how are the phone sex operators paid ? by cashiers checks mailed out to them by Fedex ? This may not be practical especially if there are many operators. Q3. Finally since this business does not involve any pornographic images are there any laws I need to abide by like having to keep records and making sure everyone is over 18 years of age ?
posted on Mar 15, 2007 - 9 answers

In terms of contracts and legal/business preparations, how should I proceed with the forthcoming sale of software that I've written to a client (this is my first time selling my own software/services as an independent contractor). [more inside]
posted on Nov 29, 2006 - 4 answers

So, Organization A has hired Organization B to implement a program. Organization A has reason to believe that Organization B is not implementing that program effectively/ethically, but the implementation is already in progress. So, let's say Organization A was compelled to turn to Third Party (C) to participate in the process of implementing the program -- as an observer, mediator, what have you. [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2006 - 6 answers

Another MeFi trademark question: A small restaurant chain (let’s say ABCFood) opened in Colorado in 1996 and closed all its locations in Q4 2004. All of ABCFood’s state business registrations are in "Delinquent" and/or "Administratively Dissolved" status, and the proprietor has moved on to other endeavors. The USPTO still has a "live" listing for ABCFood’s trademark, though, as mentioned, the mark is no longer maintained. What obstacles would stop someone from hypothetically opening a similar chain with the name ABCFood in another state?
posted on Feb 7, 2006 - 8 answers

I'm a freelance web developer who was recently fired by a client, had the amount of my invoice debated, and decided, for a couple of reasons, to write it off as a loss and tell them not to pay me anything. Today I got a check in the mail; do I cash it? [more inside]
posted on Aug 21, 2005 - 17 answers

When did the practice of refusing to comment on a given issue due to pending litigation become an acceptable response? Is this a fairly recent development -- a result of living in a sue-happy nation? Is it just the vogue rhetoric of avoiding even a minimal amount of accountability? Or is it something else? For the lawyers out there, what are the ramifications of commenting? ... especially with cases like those involving the government?
posted on Jun 29, 2005 - 4 answers

I am running a free Web-based service for friends and acquaintances. Lately, the volume on this service has been growing greatly. The next step is to move the service to a professional host. I am thinking of putting a paypal donation button on the site to help pay for it. Are there any legal or tax issues I need to worry about? Do I need a business license? What if I want to start selling Cafe Press items or running Google ads? I am located in the USA.
posted on Jan 16, 2005 - 5 answers

Would it be legal for a member of the NYAG's office to start shorting a company Spitzer's about to sue shortly before he makes his first press release about it, given that my impression from this article is that his doing so tends to lead to drops in stock prices?
posted on Oct 22, 2004 - 6 answers

I've been a freelance web designer operating as a sole trader for six months. Now I've gotten a contract that can only hire people as limited companies. I've been told to use an umbrella company, but after reading up on them online, I'm just at a loss. I can understand what they do, but why don't companies want sole traders? And does anyone have any recommendations on umbrellas to use? (Save, of course, the Umbrella Corporation)
posted on Oct 20, 2004 - 4 answers

If one has a business that is registered as an LLC (with no partners-- just the one person) and if: the business location (office) is in one state, the owner lives in another state and most of the business (or clients) are in a third state in which state is state income tax due-- where the office is, the owner's residence or where the clients are?
posted on Aug 24, 2004 - 3 answers

Ecommerce filter: Here at work we are attempting to understand/define the default business rules for taxation calculations within an ecommerce app. Specifically we are all tied up in knots over the application of rates, reporting issues, etc. Is there an industry standard for handling this aspect of a transaction? Who defines the standards, and how can I find out more about it?
posted on Aug 12, 2004 - 2 answers

I am thinking of starting a very small business, but I have a few questions for those of you who have done so before I really make up my mind wheter to go forward or not. [More Inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2004 - 11 answers

Can someone be held liable for infringing upon a patented business model if they aren't in business?
posted on Jan 22, 2004 - 11 answers