A 5 Piece Presentation from the Minds of MWR Legal

Compilations of an extensive interview conducted by Jason Myers

Myth #1- Online Form Documents Make Incorporation Easy

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The world of media, marketing and business has changed dramatically over the past decade.  The breakup of the all-powerful information delivery systems from our past – think national newspapers and television networks –has significantly leveled the playing field for small businesses.

Now, a local business in Spokane, Washington (or Austin, Texas!) can distribute their product as well as their brand locally, nationally and even globally online.  The end result of this gigantic media shift is an increased priority on protecting and controlling your company’s image and name across multiple mediums.  Here’s why:

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MWR Legal is proud to congratulate our friends, Austin locals Ray and Bertrand Sosa, on their nomination by Bloomberg Businessweek as two of the top social entrepreneurs in the country.  The brothers founded MPower Ventures in 2006 and continue to fuel its growth to the top of an underserved sector- banking services for the low income bracket.

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When you decide that your business needs to raise money, and you decide to approach outside investors, there are some critical legal issues that you should be aware of.  After 32 years of legal experience and working on well over 100 private and public offerings, I have observed that certain issues often get missed, even by the sophisticated investor.  There are many important considerations, and certainly more than 5 legal “things to consider”, but here are the ones that seem to recur.

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Drifting snow, chiming bells, and rosy cheeks mark the beginning of our merry holiday season.  And many businesses anticipate the greatest holiday gift of all: the economic outlook has begun to turn rosy as well.

Economists and CEOs alike foresee an increase in sales and a growth in capital during 2010. However, while companies plan to rake in more cash next year they don’t necessarily plan to hire new help. According to Business Roundtable Quarterly, large corporation CEOs anticipate a year of healthy economic expansion but not a resurgence of hiring. (more…)

We are proud to announce that a radio musical written by the firm’s Senior Partner Charles Moster will be featured this Sunday, September 13 at 11am on KUT’s (90.5FM) The Best of Public Radio.  The one act radio musical is entitled “Taken: How will they be remembered?” and provides a very personal depiction of the 9/11 tragedy. (more…)

One of the most fascinating and controversial legal decisions in the field of intellectual property is coming to a computer near you!  Charles Moster, the firm’s Senior Partner and writer/composer of several radio musicals on NPR, is releasing his latest on August 31st.  It is about the life of the brilliant Serbian inventor, Nikola Tesla, who invented radio and had a landmark Supreme Court case! (more…)

Trademarks are used to protect a name, word, or symbol that is used for the purpose of identifying the source of goods or services.  Many economists have shown the direct relationship between the increasing importance of branding and the value of securing your IP – a lesson that the “Octomom” has clearly not missed!

According to CNN, the Smoking Gun and a number of other news sources Nadya Suleman, aka the “Octomom”, has recently filed two trademark applications and wants to put her moniker on television programs, clothing and disposable and cloth diapers. (more…)

Health care – and who pays for it – remains an important topic for business owners. Recent legislation will require employers to pay for 65% of separated employees’ health care continuation payment for a prescribed period.  Previously, employers were required to keep separated employees on their health care plans as long as the employee paid up to 110% to cover the payment and attendant administrative cost.   (more…)

Bankruptcy is not a process that should be feared by the American people – or by General Motors.  Sometimes it acts as a grim reaper.  Sometimes it has the power of the Phoenix allowing failed businesses to rise from their ashes.  But always it is the great equalizer which is precisely what Congress intended.

So why are GM and the country so afraid?  The answer appears to be very straight forward – loss of the company and the attendant jobs.  That’s arguably never a good thing. (more…)