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Washington Business Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Copyright and Internet Law for Washington on
Q: I bought some sticker logos legally on line. If I apply these logos to hats, can I then sell the logoed hats on ebay?
Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
answered on Sep 2, 2017

Do you intend to apply the actual logo stickers that you bought? In copyright, there is the First Sale Doctrine that provides that if a person buys an object having copyright protected material, the buyer can do what they want with the object. For example for a book, you could give it away or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Family Law and Education Law for Washington on
Q: is there a law that daycare centers MUST prorate for days the child misses it they are there full time?

My sons dad is trying to get out of paying for daycare unless they prorate cuz he misses 5 days. He is now 2 months behind in daycare.

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Aug 3, 2017

There's no law that I'm aware of. You look at the terms of the contract you signed and agreed to. If the contract says prorate, you prorate. If the contract says it's a fixed rate regardless of days missed, you pay in full. If the contract is silent, there's a decent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Internet Law, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Washington on
Q: Eat24 or an affiliate marketer made a site "stacias-pizza.com" that makes it look like my client's. Is this legal?
Will Blackton
Will Blackton
answered on Jul 7, 2017

Are you saying you're a web designer and you created a website for a pizza place, and someone copied and rebranded that website as Stacia's Gourmet Pizza?

If so, how much of your work was copied? What elements: images, text, html?

Or are you saying that Stacia's...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Tax Law, Business Law and Divorce for Washington on
Q: Divorcing my spouse & we started a construction company about 25 years ago, suspect corp embezzlement by him & officers

My soon to be ex and his business partners have dissipated our business in violation of court orders, taken out and spent all the money ($300K in meals and entertainment in 2 years), casinos, trips, his secretary/girlfriend fixing her car buying her clothes, trips etc. The business is now out of... View More

Michelle D. Wynn
Michelle D. Wynn
answered on May 3, 2017

You are likely going to need a business attorney in your area to represent you in any dealings with these creditors who are hounding you. The business attorney should be able to advise you on any potential exposure to creditors claims and defend you if any creditors attempt to collect against you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: How can I shield myself from personal liability if my business ends up getting sued?
Brian Lehman
Brian Lehman
answered on Mar 30, 2017

The common way is to set up a limited liability or a corporation and to maintain the legal requirement of that entity so that the corporate structure cannot be "pierced." Here is the IRS's guide on LLCs, which I see most often with startups:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Business Law for Washington on
Q: For a single-person LLC choosing to be taxed as an S-Corp, what if revenue isn't enough to pay a "reasonable salary?"

I understand salary must be "reasonable in industry standards" but who decides that, and what if there simply isn't enough revenue to sustain a "reasonable" salary for the owner? I'm a sole prop now (just me, pretty small income), and I'm trying to study the... View More

Matthew M Montoya
Matthew M Montoya
answered on Jan 26, 2017

To put things in perspective, it's important to remember that an S-Corporation is its own legal person, separate and distinct from its owners. When you, as a single person, elect to turn your LLC into an S-Corporation, you automatically wear two hats - that of a business owner and that of an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: Can a small business host online raffles/lottos?

I have an online based game for kids and young adults 13 and up. It's through an LLC registered in the state of Washington and I'd like to have many minigames including a monthly raffle for rare in game items and a weekly lotto. It would all be strictly a free in-game currency for virtual... View More

Marjorie Simmons
Marjorie Simmons
answered on Jul 6, 2016

Maybe. Online prize law is not a well developed area of law yet, and involves not only the consumer protection act, but banking and sometimes securities laws as well. The state statute RCW 19.170 (http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.170&full=true) governs promotions, disclosures and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: Is our non-profit corporation writing group in the state of Washington required to have a vice president?

We are a local chapter of Romance Writers of America in Washington state. All chapters nationwide are required to redo their bylaws this year. National RWA says having a vice president is optional, but chapters must meet the requirements of the state they are incorporated in. RCW 24.03.125 in the... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 8, 2015

Frequently, corporations statutes require this, but also provide that certain offices may be shared by the same person. Thus, if the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act allows it, the offices of president and vice president, for example, could be held by the same person.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: Is it illegal for my partner to tell everyone that i am bought out if it is not true?

Is it illegal for my partner to tell everyone that i am bought out if it is not true? My partner has done so to our entire supply and contact list harming my credibility and it is not true, I am not bought out.

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Aug 29, 2015

More information about specifics is needed. A local lawyer can advise.

Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education only. It is not legal advice, and it may not work for your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: Our co-signer took our truck from work. We are not in default on payment

What are our rights?

Jared Hawkins
Jared Hawkins
answered on Oct 30, 2012

You asked this question some time ago so perhaps you've already found the answer. The answer to your question depends somewhat on whether the co-signer also had a property interest in the vehicle (i.e., was his name also on the title?). If he is a co-owner then he may have equal rights to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law for Washington on
Q: Where can I find the WA state code that defines the business type "Sole Proprietorship"?
Michael J. Laszlo
Michael J. Laszlo
answered on Apr 6, 2011

"'Sole proprietorship' means a legal form of organization owned by one person meeting the requirements of RCW 18.04.195." Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 18.04.025.

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