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I have a mass distribution license with an Italian company that owns the trademark "Rivedil" for paints. I want to know if I can trademark "Rivedil USA" while selling their products. Is this permissible, considering the original trademark is overseas and I have a distribution agreement?
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answered on Apr 24, 2025
You likely can’t trademark “Rivedil USA” without the Italian owner’s consent, as it uses their trademark. Check your distribution agreement—using or registering the mark without permission may infringe their rights.
I had my car towed to Firestone for repairs, and they were supposed to tow it back to my house. However, they handed it over to another towing company without my consent. Initially, both Firestone and the towing company claimed not to know the whereabouts of my car. Later, the towing company... View More 
I am trying to find out as a spouse if I am entitled to a copy of the transcripts and subpoena related to my husband's IRS case. He was involved in a legal action with the IRS, served in November 2022, and I believe it settled in January 2024. We file married but separate tax forms, and I... View More
In a movie scenario, a mother leaves a will that maintains her children's shares in a family-owned cosmetics company but transfers her remaining shares and the CEO title to her daughter-in-law. This will also allows the daughter-in-law to select the new head of marketing, a role previously... View More
I registered a business named "Extreme Tire & Auto" in New York State, and another company in the same city registered "Xtreme Tire" in the same year. We offer similar services. The other business has formally threatened legal action, claiming I must change my business name.... View More
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answered on Apr 24, 2025
The question of whether another business can force you to change your name depends on several factors including trademark registration status, likelihood of confusion, and priority of use. Since both businesses were registered in the same year, the exact date of first use in commerce could be... View More
I am residing in Pakistan and am interested in starting a digital magazine online. I would like to register it as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in New York State in the United States. Although I currently reside in Pakistan, I may shift my business office to the US in the future. Is it possible... View More
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answered on Apr 15, 2025
Yes, you can register an LLC in New York as a non-resident. New York, like many other states, allows foreign individuals (those who are not residents of the U.S.) to form an LLC. The process will involve filing the necessary paperwork with the New York Department of State and paying the required... View More
I started a blog and obtained a DBA as I plan to earn money through the blog. I now have three additional blogs; two are similar to the first, and I am creating an umbrella to incorporate these blogs under one primary site. One of the subsidiary blogs has its own DBA. I am uncertain whether each... View More
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answered on Apr 3, 2025
You should speak with an attorney to clarify and highlight all the details, but in general, you do not need a separate DBA for each blog unless you plan to operate each publicly under a different name. Since you are creating an umbrella site, you can use one DBA that reflects the overall brand and... View More
I've entered a contract with SW Alliance where I'm supposed to use 30% of net profits to pre-order related subscription services for the AI DataMind application and pay SW Alliance's team service fees. SW Alliance is telling me to use external funds, meaning I need to deposit... View More
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answered on Apr 11, 2025
That’s an incredibly stressful situation, and it makes sense that you’re looking for clear answers fast. If your contract with SW Alliance specifically states that payment is to come from 30% of *net profits*, then you are not obligated to pay from personal or external funds unless there is... View More
I am an independent contractor planning to leave the shop where I currently work to start my own business. There is no contract in place with the shop, and there have been no disputes regarding the ownership of my items. I have clearly stated receipts for all items I own. Do I need any additional... View More
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answered on Mar 31, 2025
As an independent contractor planning to leave your current shop, you can generally take any belongings you’ve purchased and have receipts for without legal issues. To avoid misunderstandings, it’s a good idea to create a list of your items with proof of purchase and photos. Notify the shop... View More
I am planning to open a unisex salon in Accra, Ghana, and would like to use the name "Bloom Beauty Bar." While it's not trademarked in Ghana, I intend to use it internationally. I'm concerned about potential legal issues with employing this name in marketing and branding. Can I... View More
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answered on Mar 28, 2025
Someone would need to search for the proposed name internationally in order to guess at an answer to this question. If it turns out that no one else already is using the name, then you could file a trademark application in Ghana and follow up with "Madrid" applications in other countries... View More
I am a developer planning to launch a taxi-hailing platform in New York, partnering with driver cooperatives. What should I consider legally regarding capital income exchange and structuring the cash split with the cooperatives?
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
This is a great question with a lot of moving parts. Structuring a platform like this—especially in New York—raises regulatory, tax, and contractual considerations. You’ll want to think through how revenue flows between you and the cooperatives, how profits and risks are shared, and whether... View More
I own shares in BlackRock and have been concerned since January 2025 about potential KYC compliance negligence and fraud. I believe BlackRock violated KYC compliance regulations by engaging with Bitcoin, which lacks a website, staff, address, email, and contacts. Despite this, BlackRock has been... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
It’s understandable that you’re concerned about potential KYC compliance issues with BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF. However, it’s important to note that Bitcoin itself is a decentralized asset without a central entity, which complicates traditional KYC procedures. That said, financial... View More
I own shares in BlackRock and am concerned about potential KYC compliance negligence and fraud. I believe BlackRock violated KYC compliance regulations by engaging with Bitcoin, which lacks a website, staff, address, email, and contacts. This raises questions about Bitcoin's legitimacy.... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Suing BlackRock for KYC negligence and fraud related to Bitcoin would be a complex process. KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations are typically designed to prevent financial crimes such as money laundering, but whether BlackRock violated these regulations by offering a Bitcoin ETF depends on the... View More
I co-signed my brother's car loan in New York, and he recently got into an accident. The car was parked on a lot for 10 months, accruing a $10,000 parking fee. Even after contacting the impound department, I received no communication regarding options to deal with the situation or purchase the... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It sounds like you're in a difficult situation, as co-signing on a loan means you're legally responsible for the debt if your brother doesn't pay. However, the lender's lack of communication regarding the impounded car and your brother's situation is concerning. You should... View More
If an operating agency has a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, is it necessary to establish and maintain a board of directors, or can it continue operating without one?
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Yes, if your agency has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in New York, it is required to have a board of directors. Both federal IRS rules and New York state nonprofit law mandate that tax-exempt nonprofit organizations be governed by a board. The board is responsible for overseeing the organization’s... View More
I am interested in finding out whether products associated with Patent 11,192,678 for ZIPLOCK FASTENER CLOSURE FOR GABLE TOP CARTONS are currently being manufactured and sold commercially. Specifically, I'm looking for stores and locations where these products might be available. Can you... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2025
Your best bet is to contact the current owner to see if it is commercializing the patent and where.
The current owner of this patent is AB Merculor, located at Hillersvagen 3, Hagersten 129 35 in Sweden.
If you have trouble contacting them, their U.S. law firm is Birch Stewart... View More
I am interested in purchasing ZIPLOCK FASTENER CLOSURE FOR GABLE TOP CARTONS in the U.S. Could you provide information on which companies or manufacturers, including Tetra Pak, sell these products in the U.S.?
answered on Mar 15, 2025
This looks like something that commercial supply companies would know better than attorneys. If they aren't carried by your local paper/office supply stores, the next place to look could be larger institutional vendors, such as Uline. Good luck
I was kicked out by my business partner, and we do not have a formal partnership agreement. However, I do have my business bank agreement as proof of my involvement. What legal options do I have to address this situation and potentially reclaim my position or investment in the business?
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answered on Mar 6, 2025
You may have legal options, but without a formal partnership agreement, your case isn’t clear-cut. Your business bank agreement can serve as evidence of involvement, but more proof—such as financial contributions, communications, or profit-sharing—would strengthen your position.
If... View More
I worked at Company A, which was acquired by Company B. Post-acquisition, Company B terminated my employment. My separation agreement with Company B states I cannot make damaging or false remarks about the company or related parties, though I can respond to legal inquiries. Company A's former... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2025
I would certainly speak with an employment lawyer, if you cannot avoid rendering the statement. If in fact, you are under a contractual obligation to not divorce, confidential information and you end up doing so then you might be in violation of such obligations and subject to whatever penalties... View More
I own a business and need to report my income on a 1099-K. My total income includes $7,000 from the 1099-K and an additional $3,000 in cash earnings not on the 1099-K. If I report both amounts together on my tax return, will my return get flagged due to the discrepancy between my total income and... View More
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answered on Mar 4, 2025
This should not be considered legal advice and you should definitely consult an attorney who understands these issues but your tax return is unlikely to be flagged just because your total income exceeds the 1099-K amount. The IRS expects all income to be reported, including cash earnings. The lack... View More
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