Category: Blog

What is 506(c) Offering and What Does It Mean for Financing Your Company?

A New Day for Startups Seeking Capital The Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012 was designed to assist startups – especially new small businesses – in obtaining capital without having to comply with some of the restrictions that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had put in place governing other types of transactions. However, a 506(c) offering may or may not be the best method of raising capital for your new business. Benefits of 506(c) Offerings in General The new...

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Is That a Patent, Trademark or Copyright?

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Written by JGPC Business Law on February 23, 2017. Updated July 2026. Businesses create valuable intellectual property every day, but not every idea is protected in the same way. This article explains the basic differences between patents, trademarks, and copyrights, what each one protects, and why selecting the appropriate form of intellectual property protection is an important part of building and protecting a business. Key Takeaways Patents protect new and useful inventions,...

Patent Attorneys Protect Your Company’s Investments

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Written by JGPC Business Law on February 10, 2017. Updated July 2026. Businesses routinely protect their physical assets with insurance and security measures, but many overlook the importance of safeguarding their intellectual property. This article explains how patent attorneys help businesses protect inventions, navigate the patent application process, evaluate infringement risks, and enforce patent rights against competitors. Key Takeaways Intellectual property can be one of a...

What is Required in a California Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Written by JGPC Business Law on February 1, 2017. Updated July 2026. A well-drafted non-disclosure agreement (NDA) helps California businesses protect confidential information, trade secrets, and other proprietary assets from unauthorized disclosure. An effective NDA should clearly define protected information, establish appropriate confidentiality obligations, and specify the legal remedies available if the agreement is violated. Key Takeaways NDAs help protect confidential...

Intellectual Property Protection for New Product Inventions

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Written by JGPC Business Law on January 7, 2017. Updated July 2026. New products often represent a significant investment of time, creativity, and financial resources. This article explains the primary forms of intellectual property protection available to businesses and why obtaining the appropriate legal protections early can help prevent competitors from copying or exploiting valuable innovations. Key Takeaways Different forms of intellectual property protect different...

ADR Services That Work Best

Written by JGPC Business Law.

ADR Services – What Works Best in Your Situation? Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forms can be quite helpful for business owners who find themselves ensnared in legal disputes and conflicts with customers and/or other businesses. Litigation takes time, and as the old saying goes, “Time is money.” The more time your business spends in the courtroom, the greater the impact those disputes and conflicts will have on your business’s profitability. In many cases, ADR can resolve a business’s...

What to Include in a California Business Contract

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Obligations and Non-fulfillment Clauses are Only the Start California business contracts are deceptively complex. The basic premise of a written contract is simple: The parties record the promises they made to one another so that each is aware of his or her responsibilities and rights. A contract that contains only this and no other essential terms is sure to lead to confusion and legal troubles. Ideally, a business contract will describe not only the obligations of each party but also what...

How to Register and Protect Your Trademarks

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Registration is Essential to Protecting your Good Name and Reputation Protecting your business’s intellectual property is a task best handled by a knowledgeable and experienced California trademark law firm. A trademark (sometimes referred to as a service mark) includes any word, sign, symbol, or device that is used by one business to distinguish its goods and/or services from another business. Registering your trademark is essential to protecting your company’s good name and reputation....

Rights in a California Franchise Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Your Rights in a California Franchise Dispute Many small business owners choose to open a franchise for various reasons. Franchise arrangements allow a new, inexperienced business owner to experience some of the benefits of small business ownership without having to completely “go it alone.” The franchisee – the small business owner – gets to use certain tangible and intangible property of the franchisor – in return for the payment of a franchise fee. Like other business contracts, however,...

Attorney for Creditor-Debtor Rights Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law.

When to Hire an Attorney for Your California Creditor-Debtor Rights Dispute Creditor-debtor rights disputes can place a small business in a precarious situation. When the small business is in the position of the creditor, disputes with debtors can mean that the business is not able to obtain payment from the individuals and entities that owe the business money. When the small business is in the position of the debtor, the actions of creditors can deprive the small business of its monetary and...