If any readers have ever gotten in touch with OG+S regarding a potential trademark application, we have likely mentioned the possibility of doing a “preliminary screen” for your mark. This process, sometimes also referred to as a “knockout search”, helps trademark applicants get a sense of the field before they apply. Here at OG+S, we … Read more
Let’s say you just started a new business—congratulations! When you contribute to your new business at the outset, as well as when you contribute again at a later point, that capital contribution and those of the other owners need to be tracked somehow. Enter the Capital Account. A Capital Account is a general ledger used … Read more
About one year ago today, I wrote a post called “Changes are Coming – Be Prepared to Disclose Beneficial Ownership in 2021.” Although those changes (i.e. the requirement that all businesses disclose their beneficial owners in a federally run database) have not come to pass yet, they are still on the way – so keep … Read more
It is December, which means we’re busy wrapping up client work that needs to be done by the year’s end. But it also means that we are planning for 2021. We have big plans. I hope some of them can involve seeing you in person, but even if not, we still need to figure out … Read more
After last week’s post, we know that for a federal trademark we need to have interstate commerce, often because we are selling across state lines. So let’s pretend that we know we can apply for federal registration based on sales. Now, we have to decide if it is a strong trademark: Is this mark protectible? … Read more
It has been a busy first quarter for our clients, which means a busy time for us. One thing that has kept us hopping is the purchase or sale of businesses. Often, but not always, that takes the form of an asset sale. That means assets of the business are sold – not ownership of … Read more
OK, you have gone through all of the questions that Gary set out for you, but now’s the toughest one of all: Do you have the support network at home for this? Start-ups are not for the faint of heart. You will be putting in hours of work – possibly for little or no pay … Read more
I joked last time that I was having an existential crisis about my own value by discussing how much I should pay myself when starting a business, but this week’s post kicks it into high gear as we ask: Are you the right person to start this business? Well, now, these questions are not getting … Read more
We’ve talked about deadlock before, and how to deal with it. While deadlock is never a great thing for Founders to deal with, today there is reason to celebrate. Why? A client chose the “Candy Land” method of breaking deadlock, and among the three of us, that makes a total of about 5 clients over … Read more
In our engagement letter, we have some very important language. Possibly the most important is this: It is expressly agreed and understood by Client that OG + S is retained for the sole benefit of the Client, and not for the benefit of any other person, partnership, corporation, shareholder, office, director, affiliated company or guarantor … Read more