I run a business that sells used things. Someone came in and told me one of my used things was theirs. How do I proceed? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 19, 2012 - 22 answers

There are three of us who are starting a business next year and one of my future co-founders is insisting that everyone signs an employment contract stipulating that we stay at the company for at least three years. Contract violations haven't been discussed yet - the contract hasn't been written yet - but a hefty fine is likely. Is this type of contract common between co-founders? What other risks should I be aware of before/if signing this? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 31, 2012 - 24 answers

I'm throwing an advertised dinner party for which guests will pay a fixed price. How can I serve alcohol? [more inside]
posted by pieliza on Mar 5, 2012 - 13 answers

What are all my options if a client won't pay my invoices in a timely manner? [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Jul 20, 2011 - 15 answers

How do I start a new private limited company in the UK and then start a new business banking account for it? [more inside]
posted by asymptotic on Jun 21, 2011 - 7 answers

Needing recommendations for a competent, reasonably affordable intellectual property attorney in the US. [more inside]
posted by dacoit on Feb 7, 2011 - 8 answers

One client of mine, a wealthy entrepreneur, recently expressed interest in being connected with another client, a local band with tons of potential. Now that I've connected them, he's investing a lot of money into their next album and tour. So where does my cut come in? [more inside]
posted by jruckman on Nov 7, 2010 - 16 answers

What prevents companies from simply screwing everyone and paying off their owners debt free? [more inside]
posted by doomtop on Mar 23, 2010 - 14 answers

The story of how Corporations became legal people using the 14th amendment is pretty famous. But that's a US phenomenon. How did it work out in other countries? Are corporations legal people in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia etc? [more inside]
posted by moorooka on Jan 22, 2010 - 11 answers

Starting a Non-Profit... Where to start? [more inside]
posted by weiler63 on Jan 10, 2010 - 8 answers

LLC for a (now) profitable writer/actor team? [more inside]
posted by 2003girl on Jan 6, 2010 - 3 answers

How does the tech person in a business partnership avoid getting screwed over by the business person? [more inside]
posted by giggleknickers on Nov 15, 2009 - 13 answers

Last year I got most of my income for working from home in the state of Virginia. I did work for a company that is not owned by me and was located in another town in Virginia. I got a 1099 as an individual from the company for the work that I did. This work was all conducted by phone and email, no one came to my home. I recently got a letter in the mail from the City of Winchester, VA saying that I did not register as a business in the city and that I needed to pay back licensing fees. I know you're not my lawyer, but do I have to do this?
posted by jefeweiss on Nov 6, 2009 - 13 answers

I just graduated from law school on Sunday. I want to open my own law firm and practice criminal law after I pass the Oregon bar. But how can I get up to speed fast enough that I don't give my new clients poor legal services? [more inside]
posted by Happydaz on May 21, 2009 - 16 answers

Businessnamefilter: How similar is too similar? [more inside]
posted by Ctrl_Alt_ep on May 6, 2009 - 8 answers

Which website (or lawyer) to visit if I want to do some business investigation on a person or company? [more inside]
posted by willy_dilly on Mar 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Can I use a song lyric/title as my business name? Or is it copyright protected? [more inside]
posted by jourman2 on Feb 23, 2009 - 22 answers

Can I run a criminal law practice out of my apartment? [more inside]
posted by pantheON 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 by thatgirl on Dec 31, 2007 - 44 answers

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

How do I become a business tycoon? [more inside]
posted by doppleradar 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 by treepour 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 by lc037 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 by davidvan 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 by greggish 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 by fourstar 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 by anonymous 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 by fourstar 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 by Orkboi 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 by kenko 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 by Katemonkey 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 by limitedpie 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 by lilboo 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] [more inside]
posted by shotsy on Jul 29, 2004 - 10 answers

Can someone be held liable for infringing upon a patented business model if they aren't in business? [more inside]
posted by Danelope on Jan 22, 2004 - 10 answers