Registered Trade Name vs Registered Trademark: Who Wins?

Last week, I wrote about intellectual property disputes where one side had the website domain and the other side has the registered trademark. Someone asked me how do registered trade names factor into these situations. What’s a Trade Name? In general, a trade name is something you register with your state. This is different than… [Continue Reading]

You Have the Domain. They Have the Trademark. Who Wins in the IP Dispute?

I saw this scenario come through my Reddit feed. Two U.S. companies are in the same industry and using the same name for their brand. One has the dot-com web domain. The other has registered the brand as a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Which company should get to use the… [Continue Reading]

Cost to Move a Business from California to Arizona

Frequently, I receive emails from people who need help moving their business from California to Arizona. They typically find me after reading my post about how challenging it is to move a company from California to Arizona, particularly a corporation. One of the most common questions they have is, “What will this cost?” Cost to… [Continue Reading]

Funny but Binding Contract Terms for Late Payments

One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses seems to be getting clients to pay their bills. Dealing with non-paying clients or delinquent clients is one the most common complaints I hear about from other entrepreneurs. Your first line of defense against these people is in your contract. Create an Upside When Clients Don’t Pay… [Continue Reading]

It’s the Law: Put Down Your Phone and Drive

Starting January 1, 2021, you can be ticketed in Arizona if you talk or text on a cell phone while driving unless the device is in a hands-free mode. The same law also applies to tablets as well as music and gaming devices It’s the 48th state to ban texting while driving. (Missouri and Montana… [Continue Reading]

What Zach Kornfeld is Doing Right with his New Business

This week, Zach Kornfeld of The Try Guys announced that he is starting a new tea company in two months or less, without leaving his apartment, and spending less than $500. The goal is to create and sell two original blends: “one for energy and one for chillin’ out.” Constraints are Good for Creativity It’s… [Continue Reading]

Who We Are

Sunset in AZ by Miguel Folch

Carter Law Firm is the umbrella company for my professional speaking and writing activities. My goals are to give people the legal foundation and educational tools they need to run with their ideas and to empower people to pursue their crazy … [Read More]

Speaking Engagements

You’ve read my blog posts and you’ve seen my YouTube videos, now you can hire me to speak at your event or organization. I am available to speak at conferences, continuing legal education events (CLEs), trainings, webinars, podcasts, radio shows, TV … [Read More]

Books

I have been a passionate blogger since 2009. After contributing to several books, I decided to become an author myself. My books expand on many of the topics that have appeared on my blog posts over the years and breaks down legal concepts so … [Read more]

Featured Posts

Bloggers & Vloggers: Register your Trademarks!

Ever since I heard about the Turner Barr story in 2013, I’ve been on everyone I know – including recreational bloggers and the vloggers – to register their trademarks in at least their sites’ names with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). If this isn’t on your to-do list for this year, take a […]

The Legalities of having a Bat Signal

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have the palette of a five year-old and a massive sweet tooth – especially for ice cream. I would love to have a bat signal – well something like it but only in the shape of an ice cream cone. I want to be able to […]

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