How To Trademark a Business Name

Last week a friend asked me if a business could trademark their name. Anyone who’s spent much time with me knows that the answer to every legal question is “It depends.” In this case it depends on whether your business name is trademarkable and if anyone else had claimed the same or a similar name… [Continue Reading]

Can programming language names be trademarks? by opensourceway from Flickr

Could Amy’s Baking Company Bring Legal Action For Online Comments?

So social media blew up this week after Amy’s Baking Company, owned by Samy and Amy Bouzaglo, was featured on Kitchen Nightmares where Chef Ramsey walked away after he felt that the owners of the restaurant were not willing to listen to his critiques. On the show, Amy claimed that the business was hurt by… [Continue Reading]

Savouring a soft Scottsdale Sunset by Nelson Minar from Flickr

Reddit’s New Privacy Policy – How Terms of Service Should Be Written

Are you on Reddit? I love Reddit. It’s a great way to connect with the various online communities that matter to you. Reddit recently announced that its new privacy policy is going into effect on May 15th. You can read the text of the policy here. Seriously, go read it. What I love about this… [Continue Reading]

Startup Schwag Bag #2 by homard.net

Should Star Wars Fans Fear Disney Cease & Desist Letters?

May 4th is Star Wars Day. May the 4th be with you! In light of this geeky holiday and the fact that I will be speaking about the legalities of fan fiction and fan art at Phoenix Comicon this year, I’ve been thinking about what the impact of the Disney buying Lucasfilm in 2012 will… [Continue Reading]

Yoda statue outside Lucasfilm - The Presidio by kennejima from Flickr

FAQs about the Legalities of Social Media

I had the pleasure of speaking at the Public Relations Society of America’s Western District Conference last weekend. I led two sessions: “So you want to do a flash mob” and “The Legal Side of Blogging: 10 Questions to Ask Before you Hit ‘Publish.’” Both sessions were great and I wanted to share some of… [Continue Reading]

Carter Law Firm's Official Postcard - let me know if you want me to send you one.

Applying Minimalism Principles to Your Business

Earlier this year I was inspired to embark on a project of systematically cleaning out my life – one drawer, one shelf, one stack of papers at a time. I am by no means becoming one of those people who only has 100 possessions or lives in a tiny house. My goal is to de-clutter… [Continue Reading]

My Desk by tdm911 from Flickr

Who We Are

Sunset in AZ by Miguel Folch

Carter Law Firm is dedicated to providing solutions to individuals & businesses in the areas of intellectual property, social media law, business law, & flash mob law. We prevent problems before they occur by drafting effective contracts, … [Read More]

What We Do

Bunkered in with the Glow of the Sun by M. Anima

Carter Law Firm practices numerous interconnected areas of laws aimed at serving entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, and performers. We provide services in the following areas. Intellectual Property Internet Law Business Formation & … [Read More]

Books

LSB - option 3

Ruth Carter has been a passionate blogger since 2009. After contributing to several books, she decided to become an author herself.  She expands on many of the topics that have appeared on her blogs over the years and breaks down legal concepts so … [Read More]

Featured Posts

Photo by Don McPhee Photography

I’m an ABA Legal Rebel!

I’m excited to share the news that I’ve been named a 2012 American Bar Association Legal Rebel! The ABA acknowledges 10 members of the legal community each year for being innovative leaders. I am humbled and honored to be added to this illustrious group. I learned about the Legal Rebels when I was in law [...]

Photo by Don McPhee

How To Get a Free Consultation with Ruth Carter

I’m excited to share that I’ve teamed up with Gangplank in Chandler to offer free legal mentoring services on the first Monday of the month from 1pm until 4pm. I can see 3 people for 45-minutes each every month at no charge. My legal mentoring hours are a great opportunity to informally bat around your [...]

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