Posts tagged “TechLaw”

February 1

Does your company's website privacy policy pass the test?

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Just weeks ago, the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Facebook over allegedly unfair privacy practices. The Facebook(r) matter presents a lesson about important but often overlooked website privacy law that your company should consider if it has a website.

Tags: TechLaw
January 18

Your federal estate and gift tax exemption - Use it or lose it?

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: All individual taxpayers have a window of opportunity for passing their assets to family members or other individuals with less gift tax than ever under current tax law. But this window is more than "half-way shut." So, immediate action is necessary to take advantage of this opportunity.

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January 4

Conservation easement opportunities: Protect natural resources, receive tax savings

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: A conservation easement may protect natural resources for future generations, while affording you substantial property, income, and estate tax savings and, at the same time, allowing you to retain title and the right to use your land for many purposes.

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December 21, 2011

What do 'fairness' and the middle class have to do with your independent contractors?

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: The Obama Administration has been talking a lot about "fairness" these days. President Obama has identified this time in history as a "make or break moment for the middle class," and he has made clear that his intent is to "level the playing field" in America. So what does this have to do with your independent contractors?

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Updated December 7, 2011

Domestic violence comes to work: Its impact in the workplace and what employers can do

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Domestic violence often follows employees to work, affecting employer costs, absenteeism, productivity, and workplace safety. What can an employer do?

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November 23, 2011

When zoning regulations violate due process

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: A county's zoning ordinance prohibits cell phone towers that are over 100 feet tall. The zoning ordinance, however, allows other structures (including other types of towers) to exceed 100 feet in height. Are there any constitutional protections that can be invoked to challenge this prohibition that seems arbitrary on its face?

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November 9, 2011

Cyber-bullies in N.C.: Are our children protected?

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Each year, thousands of adolescents in North Carolina find themselves the victims of "cyber-bullying." North Carolina addressed this controversial issue with the passage of § 14 458.1 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

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October 26, 2011

'I have a right to know!' Well, maybe. Inspection rights in nonprofit corporations

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Nonprofit corporations, including property owners' associations, are generally intended to "do good." But, more often than necessary, they foster "bad feelings" among their members because of ill-informed document inspection policies.

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October 12, 2011

Planning for the estate tax - Is 'portability' all you need? Maybe not

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: In light of recent changes in the federal estate tax exemption laws, you may need to update your estate tax planning.

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Updated September 28, 2011

New NC law on reciprocal attorney's fees in business contracts

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: A new North Carolina law provides that business contract terms allowing recovery of attorneys' fees are enforceable if they apply to all contracting parties and are "signed by hand." Attorneys' fee awards under this law will be very unpredictable.

Tags: TechLaw
September 14, 2011

How should two or more people own property? Does it matter?

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: When two or more people purchase property, they rarely consider how they should take title to the property, and this could be a big mistake.

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August 31, 2011

Rehab: It's not just for celebrities anymore

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: A Raleigh-based company's refusal to hire a recovering drug addict results in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit.

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August 17, 2011

Giving up the home court advantage: Forum selection clauses

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: The common, but often ignored, "forum selection clause" in many contracts can have significant consequences for you, both good and bad.

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August 3, 2011

Limits on limited liability company protections

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Use of a limited liability company has become a popular business planning tool because of the broad protections it affords owners of the LLC from the actions and debts of the LLC. However, the reverse is not necessarily true. Under certain circumstances, a creditor of an owner can reach the owner's interest in the LLC or even the LLC's assets.

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July 20, 2011

Patent reform legislation ... the race is on!

Ward and Smith, P.A. TechLaw: Patent reform legislation pending in Congress is poised to become the most significant patent legislation in nearly 60 years. How will it affect your intellectual property management decisions?

Tags: TechLaw