Agreed, the claim would be for defamation, and as Michael points out damages are measured by injury to your business's reputation. Note there is a short, 1-year statute of limitations for defamation lawsuits in New York State. I doubt your status qualifies for "per se" liability... View More

You can file a small claims action in Idaho for up to $5,000 without an attorney. Based on the facts you allege, your claims would be for breach of contract and misrepresentation/fraud. It would be important to allege that the 90-day price point increase was not set forth in the rental contract and... View More

Unless the buy-back is memorialized in a contract, you cannot force one business owner to buy the stock of another. Where a sales contract has a deadline, missing the same could give grounds for "specific performance," a court order requiring the breaching party to live up to its... View More

The choice of what to offer in exchange for a piece of the company is a business decision for you. The choice depends on whether repayment of the loan/note is worth more to you than a less certain return from an increase in stock value. If they are selling stock at a per-share price that is less... View More

It is unlikely, especially if the store is defunct, that anyone current holds a trademark to the logo or company name on the sign. You would be best advised to conduct a trademark search (federal and state) or have one done for you by the many online services offering that function.

Perform a trademark search (online at the U.S. PTO and some states) or hire a trademark search firm to do so on your behalf.

Absent coercion sufficient to prevent a reasonable person in your situation from exercising a deliberate, knowing election to sign the document, it would be enforceable. You would need to plead and prove a defense of coercion in opposition to a motion for entry of judgment in the court case.

It is very unlikely a "quitclaim deed" transfer for his children for $1 would be treated by the IRS, state tax authorities or the local property recording office as a bargained-for sale. Instead, the difference between FMV and the $1 price will likely be deemed taxable, ordinary income to... View More

You automatically own the copyright in all artwork you create whether or not a piece is registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Absent consideration (payment) or an agreement transferring ownership or licensing rights to the band, you can terminate non-consented use by sending them a notice... View More

There are deadlines and procedures in every state for initiating a landlord-tennant eviction action, including frequently requirements for prior written notice, etc. You should examine and follow the Indiana statutes or consult a real estate attorney in Indiana.

No, that is the legal function of the LLC form, shielding personsal assets of the members absent fraud or commingling.

Send a written notice saying you removed the item on X date and cured any conceivable breach, therefore your lesse rights cannot be terminated.

If you have no corporation or partnership, the NDA should be signed by each person to whom the non-public confidential information is disclosed and vice-versa.

There is no citizenship limitation to being an S-corporation shareholder.

If he signed a lease for your residence, that could be different from a business property lease, but the ordinary rule is that contractual obligations are personal and do not extend to a non-signatory spouse.

I suspect you will need to better identify the nature of the contract, as that will determine whether your matter is a "government contracts" issue, which is a very specialized area, or a more general litigation matter.

Due process requires at a minimum notice and an opportunity to be heard before the government deprives a person of life, liberty or property, but otherwise can vary with the circumstances.

Antitrust lawsuits can be based on either federal or state law. If the former, sue in federal court in Kansas (U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas). If under state law, you sue in the Kansas courts of general jurisdiction (the Kansas district courts). Pleading and proving and unlawful... View More

Non-compete clauses are very, very restricted under California law. From your question, it appears the prohibition applies to your company, which is likely the "employee" under the contract. You really should have a lawyer examine the agreement to determine its scope and validity before you sign.

TMs are available for both names/phrases and logos. You can look them up at the Patent & Trademark office to see their scope.