Starting a business can be an exciting yet daunting experience. While focusing on the business strategies, legalities, and overall growth of the company, the importance of protecting the business from unforeseen circumstances can often be forgotten. This is where insurance comes in, specifically Buy Sell Insurance and Key Man Insurance. In this blog post, we will explore the difference between …
BLSW Attorney Johnn Osborn Makes a Compelling Cannabis Argument
Johnn Osborn has recently received some media attention, both locally and nationally, for his part in changing the zoning laws that previously dictated the distance in which cannabis businesses had to maintain from each other. By successfully arguing that a cannabis business going into vacant establishment improves the Albuquerque community, more cannabis retailers now have the green light to set …
What Are Trust and Trustee Disputes?
A trust is a legal arrangement that allows you to transfer property or assets from one person to another. The person who transfers the property is known as the grantor, while the person who receives it is known as the beneficiary. This can be a useful tool for estate planning, but it can also be complicated and prone to disputes. …
BLSW Tops Expertise.com’s List of Litigators
A Ranking in Professionalism, A+ Ranking in Reputation Once again, Business Law Southwest has been recognized by Expertise.com for their outstanding New Mexico Litigation Team ! Expertise’s Selection Criteria: Availability-Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored. Qualifications-Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards. Reputation-A history of delighted customers and outstanding service. Experience-Masters of their craft, based on …
Sour Grapes. When Similar Names Create Confusion
Stag’s Leap Wine vs. Stags’ Leap: A Tale of Two Wineries Stag’s Leap Wine, product of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars rose to prominence in 1973 when it competed against wines around the world in the Judgement of Paris and won. At the time it came as a shock that an American wine could compete against a French wine. This …
What is the Supplemental Register for Trademarks?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has two registers for trademarks: supplemental and principal. The supplemental register is reserved for descriptive, surname, and geographical marks that do not qualify for the principal register. Ideally you will be on the principal register, but sometimes, you are asked to be on the supplemental register. You can make arguments against the …
Can I Trademark the Zia?
Us New Mexicans are well aware of the ZIA. It appears on our State flag, in the design of the State capital building in Santa Fe, and is used in numerous other places, by both the government and private entities. But most importantly, the Zia symbol belongs to the Zia Pueblo, and is a sacred religious symbol, having been used …
I Received an Office Action for My Trademark Application.
What do I do now? Oftentimes, an office action will be issued by the USPTO after you’ve filed your trademark with one or more rejections. An office action will ostensibly always have a response deadline of 6 months. Some of the rejections are non-substantive whereby the mark is not necessarily rejected, but a response must be submitted in order for …
What Is Personal Liability? (And How To Avoid It)
By using LLCs, Corporations, and Insurance to your advantage, you can avoid personal liability. Forming a new business is not enough. Business owners need to engage in a daily practice of proper banking practices, utilizing insurance and proper internal policies to avoid personal liability for company obligations. This workshop is full of helpful hints to keep a business owners’ personal …
Things To Consider When Preparing Your Settlement Agreement
So you finally found a way to settle that legal dispute you had – congratulations! You’re almost there, now you just need to define the terms of the agreement you reached. Don’t overlook this part of the process – a settlement agreement that fails to adequately describe the parties’ intentions and obligations can lead to additional disputes between the parties, …
