I read an interesting blog post on the LexBlog Network from Tom Crane of the San Antonio Employment Law Blog called What We Can Learn from the Government Shutdown. The lesson Crane preaches that bullying tactics usually do not work very well in negotiation and tend to invite an equal response from the other
Insight on Business – The News Hour with Michael Libbie
You can catch me tonight on the Insight on Business – The News Hour with Michael Libbie this evening at 5 pm on AM 1350-KRNT.
Michael and I will be talking franchise law and more.
It’s a great program you should check out. The show runs Monday-Friday each week at 5 PM.
U.S. Patent Law Changes: The First-Inventor-to-File One Year Grace Period
* This is a guest post from Jessica Susie of the Brick Gentry Law Firm. Jessica is a registered patent attorney.
The America Invents Act, which President Obama signed into law on September 16, 2011, has been gradually overhauling the United States patent system. March 16, 2013 marked the biggest change – the United
How to Deal with Partner Disputes
I saw an interesting article on the LexBlog Network regarding how to deal with partner disputes. The post written by Texas restaurant lawyer, Matthew Sanderson, dealt specifically with restaurants, but the information contained in the post is applicable to any business. Sanderson recommends the following when a dispute occurs:
- Avoid the conflict by identifying
Iowa Business Court Judges Selected
In January I wrote about the new Iowa Business Specialty Court Pilot Project. This week the Iowa Supreme Court announced that three judges have been selected to hear cases for the business court. The judges include:
- Judge Michael Huppert of the 5th Judicial District, which includes Dallas, Polk and Warren counties;
- Judge Annette Scieszinski
Trend Moving Toward Greater Protection for Franchisees?
With the recent passage of a new state law in Ohio and a new bill offering greater protection for franchisees in California, it will be interesting to see whether this growing trend of more pro-franchisee laws continues.
Interestingly enough it is Iowa that is often cited as a pro-franchisee state because of its franchise
Iowa Business Law Services: Rush on Business Companion Web Site
I am very happy to announce my new companion Web site to go along with this blog at www.iowabusinesslawservices.com. The site will feature information on my legal practice areas, a simple way to submit information for formation of a new corporation or LLC and also a video resources section with tips on business and
Lesson # 5 From Hard Luck Franchisees: Restrictions on the Products and Services Sold
The Classic Battle
A group of franchisees file a lawsuit contending the franchisor forces them to buy products and/or services at inflated prices while setting retail prices so low the franchisees cannot profit. The lawsuit also alleges that the franchisor omits or misrepresents key facts about its business operations when selling the franchise.
The
Lesson # 4 From Hard Luck Franchisees: Buying a Franchise in a Saturated Market or Industry
I’ve seen it many times. A certain market or industry becomes "hot" and all the sudden franchises start popping up all over the place. For example, a few years ago the 24/7 fitness market took off. In the Des Moines, Iowa area there were all kinds of fitness franchises that entered the 24/7
Lesson # 3 From Hard Luck Franchisees: Franchisor Reservation of Rights to Sell or Transfer Business
This is Lesson #3 in a five-part series on the top reasons I’ve seen franchisees fail.
Tucked away in nearly every franchise agreement is a provision that very few franchisees consider when they are purchasing a franchise business. The provision I am referencing gives a franchisor the right to sell or transfer its business