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...

JGPC Law - Alameda County Business and Corporate Mediation Attorneys

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.

Updated August, 2026. Business disputes do not always need to end in a courtroom. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and arbitration can provide businesses with different ways to address conflicts while potentially reducing the time, expense, and disruption associated with litigation. Key Takeaways ADR can provide an alternative to resolving business disputes through a full trial. Mediation uses a neutral mediator to help the parties negotiate...

What to Include in a California Business Contract

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Updated August, 2026. A strong business contract does more than document what each party has promised to do. This article explains several essential elements of California business contracts, including identifying the parties, defining their obligations, establishing remedies for breach, and properly documenting each party’s agreement to the terms. Key Takeaways Clearly identify every person or business that will be bound by the contract. Define each party’s...

How to Register and Protect Your Trademarks

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Updated August, 2026. Trademarks help customers distinguish one company’s goods and services from those offered by competitors. This article explains the basic federal trademark registration process, including filing an application, USPTO examination, publication, and the trademark owner’s continuing responsibility to maintain and enforce the registration. Key Takeaways Trademarks can protect names, logos, slogans, symbols, and other identifiers associated with...

Rights in a California Franchise Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Updated August, 2026. Franchise agreements establish important rights and responsibilities for both franchisors and franchisees, but disagreements can arise over how those provisions should be interpreted or enforced. This article discusses some of the options available for resolving California franchise disputes and explains why business owners should understand their contractual and legal rights before agreeing to a settlement or dispute resolution process. Key Takeaways ...

Attorney for Creditor-Debtor Rights Dispute

Written by JGPC Business Law.

Updated August, 2026. Businesses can find themselves on either side of a creditor-debtor dispute. This article discusses some of the rights available to creditors seeking payment and debtors responding to collection efforts, as well as circumstances in which consulting a California business attorney may help protect the company’s financial interests. Key Takeaways Businesses may encounter creditor-debtor disputes as either creditors or debtors. Creditors have legal...