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Questions Answered by Robert P. Cogan
3 Answers | Asked in Trademark for California on
Q: It looks like this Trademark was abandoned, does that mean I can buy it?
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 14, 2020

There are many different factors which go into whether or not you need to obtain rights in the particular mark. "Abandoned" does not necessarily mean the owner is not still using it.

Consulting an attorney would probably cost less than what you might lose in buying a trademark or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports for California on
Q: Entertainment law: need advice for True story

I am writing a book about a true crime story. Some details were published and newspapers and I have details that come specifically from the people who experienced it, including notes of actual conversations and emails. What changes do I need to make to protect myself legally from slander or related... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 13, 2020

It is not really possible to catalog all the types of things that can be said and how to change the things that cannot be said. Each one needs to be reviewed in context. Changes involve legal judgments. The one true crime writer I am personally acquainted with is an attorney.

One way to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for California on
Q: Hi I can see that Home Body is trademarked but seemingly as a book. would i be able to put the phrase home body on a top
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 14, 2020

If you are going to invest any money in this, consulting an attorney would help you to make a business decision on use of the mark.

The facts stated in the question do not give enough information. "Seemingly as a book" needs to be defined. The ability to use a mark depends on...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for California on
Q: I'm in a dispute with an affiliate marketing trainer for lack of delivery on what was promised.

Hi! I'm in a dispute with an affiliate marketing trainer with whom I purchased a program for $3000. The program contract we signed listed about 5-6 things specifically included. I feel several of them have not been delivered, but one in particular he doesn't even dispute denying me.... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 10, 2020

This case might be a candidate for an action in Small Claims court. There is a website for the California Superior Court in your county that will have more information.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for California on
Q: Did my client commit "Tortious Interference with a Contract for Prospective Economic Advantage"

My former client (of 16 years) pursued 5 of my 6 subcontractors until they terminated their contract with my company and went to work for my client. At first, my subcontractors were concerned that the "non compete clause" in their contract with me would prevent them from working for my... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 10, 2020

Based on what is stated here, there might be a claim. More facts need to be examined. California "non-complete" restrictions are widely misunderstood. Under California Supreme Court decisions, there are facts under which an agreement having an obligation restricting competition can hold... View More

5 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for California on
Q: Is it possible to register your business as an LLC on a budget with the safety of a lawyer and not the online websites?
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Dec 10, 2020

Yes. One client of mine formed an LLC using an online service. The service provided enough paperwork so that the Secretary of State would register an LLC. However, they completed ignored an operating agreement, which is needed for smooth functioning.

You do not save money by DYI in the long run.

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1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law for California on
Q: Do we have an elder financial abuse case?

My dad is a 83 years widower and recently met a female who became his best friend. They have developed an intimacy relationship over the past months. I recently found out that my dad lent his female friend $210,000 in the past few months without a promissory note. According to my dad, his female... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 23, 2020

This question appears to be requesting a legal opinion. That is normally done within an attorney-client relationship. Based on the limited fact statement above there seems to be a problem. An attorney might be able advise your whether you have standing to do anything about it even if your father... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for California on
Q: I what to incorporate so as to give an Artificially Intelligent agent legal rights as a corporation, is that possible?

Can the bylaws be written so an A.I.'s choices are recognized by a corporate board or the AI's code be recognized as part of the bylaws and by default, its choices have to be recognized?

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 23, 2020

Attempting setting up bylaws in this manner could be problematic. It may be better to decide what your business objective is. An attorney can evaluate your needs and seek to implement your business objectives by recognized legal means. It may be unnecessary to attempt a highly unusual approach. You... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for California on
Q: Car loan. Biggest mistake I could have made. Now I need advice on which way to go.

My situation is about a vehicle loan. I opened a $3,000 loan on my vehicle in 2018. I havent been able to pay it off. I am charged $400 every month for the interest. I want to get a better car for my family. I don't know what would happen of I let the car go and they take it. Will I be... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 23, 2020

Interest of $400 per month on a $3,000 loan? If that is really the case it could be loan sharking. An attorney can look at the numbers and see what they mean. You might possibly be entitled to relief.

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation and Business Law for California on
Q: I have an LLC biz license in CA for a brewery/distillery. I've decided to start my hand sanitizer biz w/a dif name/logo

I have maybe another 2 offshoot business (all using brewing ingredients or manufacturing brew-related items) as well. I'm wondering if I need 3 separate business licenses/ llc's-like subsidiaries. The "parent" company "St. James Brewery & Distillery LLC" will now... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 19, 2020

It is wise to consider all these factors. It appears that your objective is to get the best result for your bottom line and to minimize risks. Among the many factors to be taken into account are whether you are planning for a long term duration of the company or whether you are seeking to build the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Can I patent and idea or concept of a device me and my team created?
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 17, 2020

There is excellent tutorial material at www.uspto.gov/patents.

Spend some time studying this. It will allow you to do a much better job of presenting your invention. You will be able to ask better questions and enable the patent attorney do do a better job for you.

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1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for California on
Q: Business defamation

I own a cosmetic brand in the usa and there's a popular app that evaluates safety of cosmetic products. It rated my products badly and stated they're not safe to use because they contain certain ingredients. These ingredients are researched to be toxic in certain concentrations, which is... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 8, 2020

Many do-it-yourself options do not work in a scenario like this. This fact statement by itself does not appear to establish whether or not a legal a legal wrong has been committed. Many legal and practical matters need to by considered.

If you are not content to incur any losses resulting...
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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Employment Law for California on
Q: I want to check whether my company can hire online coaches and classify them as contractors.

Details:

- It's a Delaware C-corp.

- The coaches and clients could be anywhere in the United States. For the coaches, we can control which states to hire them.

- The coaches will coach their clients over Zoom.

If that's possible, I'd like some help to... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 8, 2020

There are ways to draft a contract that will meet the requirements in most circumstances. My experience in handling audit issues under AB5 has shown that there are basic principles that can used to justify classifying a coach as a contractor rather than an employee. My extensive experience in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Hello, Can you patent a phrases imprinted on a sandal if the phrases came from a historical book
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 6, 2020

It sounds like you want to protect the design of a sandal. Phrases don't get patented. The question is not clear, but an attorney can help you reach your objective if s/he knows what you want to do.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for California on
Q: How can I legally sell my tee shirt design based on the Brady Bunch?
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 6, 2020

What does "based on" mean? More information is needed to evaluate the situation.

See disclaimer below.

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for California on
Q: Writing and NDA for over seas contract

I want to work with a contractor that is based in Russia, and I need an NDA that would legally hold the contractor accountable if there was a breach in the contract that required us the go to a US court. Are there templates of NDA's that take into consideration working with someone over seas?

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 6, 2020

"Is there a template?" How much time, effort, and money are you putting in to this? There are many different issues to cover. Even if you have a template, you still need an attorney to evaluate what it does not say. I can usually tell a contract that is cobbled together from templates by... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: I signed a non-compete with a toddler/ infant lifestyle company. Would a job at a children’s food company violate it?

I’m a freelance illustrator and am in a contract with no termination date with a toddler lifestyle company. There a potential job I’m interested in illustrating children’s books for an upstart children’s superfood and edutainment brand. Would this be a violation of my non compete even if... View More

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Aug 31, 2020

The generality is that non-compete agreements are not enforceable in California. That is only a generality. Situations exist where a service provider must not compete whether or not there is a non-compete agreement. Your question does not include facts that would be necessary to make a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for California on
Q: Hi, Can I use the words 'Muck boots' in a business name? For example - Women Muck Boots
Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 26, 2019

The general criterion for deciding if a name should be used is whether the use will cause a likelihood of confusion in the marketplace as to the source of the goods. The conflicting mark need not be the same as the new mark. A search would have to be done and an attorney would have to interpret the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Employment Law and Communications Law for California on
Q: Some employees refuse to use company software - instant messaging - how can they be disciplined/forced to use it?

I have an instant messaging system on my office computers. Some users are logging out. We can’t fire them, but how can I set consequences for logging out or ignoring messages? What can I do to make the software so users can’t disconnect? Program is Synology Chat. Server is Windows.

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 20, 2019

There is a middle ground between firing people and letting them sabotage your system. An attorney can provide rules and procedures that can be set up and provided to employees. Rules can be enforced without firing people.

Firing employees who perform their tasks, except for the ones they...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for California on
Q: Is the patent on the locking system or the way it fixes to the support bar? Or on the actual design of the bag?

I’m confused as to the patent. So anything that locks to a cross member with a combination lock in a portable bag form? Would be patent infringement?

Robert P. Cogan
Robert P. Cogan
answered on Nov 19, 2019

It would help to know the number of the patent you are talking about.

If this is important to you, consult an attorney.

Providing detailed legal advice goes far beyond the scope of Ask a Lawyer.

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