ADLI Law Group
Overview of the New Parent Leave Act
With the turning of the calendar to 2018, a host of new laws in California, and employment law is no exception. This post explains how mid-size businesses must pay attention to an expanded law mandating unpaid leave for new parents. The New Parent Leave Act (SB 63) amends Government Code section 12945.6. Under this Act,…
Using Patents to Establish Brand
Small businesses and especially startups are often well aware of what a patent can accomplish for their businesses; provide a legal monopoly for their inventions for a period of time. And yet, the effects of a patent can go beyond protection of an invention and can include helping establish a strong brand for the business,…
Court of Appeal Affirms LA Superior Court’s Decision Not to Allow Husband to Modify Support Obligation Based on a Transfer of His Business to Current Wife and Claimed Retirement
The Second District Court of Appeal affirmed Judge Larua L. Siegle’s denial of a request for modification of support in the case of In re Marriage of Kevin J. and Cathy Berman (http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/B272324.PDF), wherein the husband who owned a private investigation firm, had remarried and when he turned 65 years old, he handed the business…
Countering Unauthorized Postings on the Internet
The internet has provided owners of intellectual property with virtually instantaneous and unlimited access to vast new markets and opportunities. On the other hand, the new medium has provided opportunities for copycats to make unauthorized use of others’ intellectual property works. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides a legal and procedural framework and mechanism…
Priority of Mechanic's Liens
One of the most important aspects of the power of mechanic’s lien is its priority over other liens or deeds of trust. Generally, liens on property follow the rule of “first in time, first in line” meaning that the priority of liens are determined based on the timing of the recording of the lien. To…
Patenting an Incomplete Invention – Keep in Mind the Enablement Requirement
Sometimes it may be oversimplified to tell an inventor that his or her invention can be patented before it is complete, because this may cause the inventor to try to apply for patent too early. While an inventor is not required to fully complete his or her invention before trying to apply for patent protection,…
Litigation vs. Arbitration vs. Mediation vs. Negotiation
You are about to engage in a legal dispute with an adversary. You know that legal disputes are typically resolved at a court trial before a judge or jury. But you remember glancing over the contract for the last appliance you purchased, and it included an arbitration clause, according to which legal disputes relating to…
Goodwill
Goodwill is a familiar term that most of us have heard and read about, and believe that we have a basic understanding of. Despite its familiarity, few business owners have a clear sense of what the term means or understand its application and legal implications for their businesses. There is probably good reason for this…
How Much Is A Patent Worth?
You are an inventor and are thinking about obtaining patent protection for your invention. You understand that patents are a form of legally recognized property, known as intellectual property, and that they can be very valuable. But you are also well aware that obtaining patent protection will cost money. How do you determine the potential…