If you have a great idea for a movie or product and want to pitch it to someone, how can you keep the idea from being stolen? Alternatively, if someone comes to you unsolicited with an idea, do you have to pay them for using it? Many people think you can copyright an idea and
Many people think of age discrimination as only affecting the elderly. However, the age at which an employee is protected from discrimination impacts a significant portion of the working population under federal law. New York law takes a step further safeguarding most employees regardless of age. The best way to minimize age discrimination claims is
Most adults have entered into a licensing agreement, sometimes without realizing it. It may have been in the context of a business arrangement to gain permission to use someone’s intellectual property or in a consumer setting relating to software or online subscription services. Is a breach of a licensing agreement considered a breach of contract
When there is a breach of contract, the non-breaching party typically sues for monetary damages. There is a specific performance of a contract. In some instances, that party would rather have the court force the other party to comply with the terms of the agreement. In that situation, the non-breaching party can ask the court
If you entered into an agreement with another party and you performed your end, you expect the other side to do the same. When that does not happen, a common action taken is to sue in court to get back your money. While many lawsuits are based on a breach of contract, sometimes that is
The short answer in most cases is both. As a business owner, you may be looking to strengthen the protection of your brand – but you may not know the difference between trademark protection for your business name and your logo. Should you trademark your business name and logo? Business owners may have the following
As of February 8, 2020, New York State will be expanding the scope of anti-discrimination laws to include ALL employers within the state, not just those with 4 or more employees. Because the law will now apply to more employers than ever, a refresher course is in order. Under both federal and state law, it is illegal to discriminate
New York Law protects “whistleblowers” who report illegal conduct by employers. There have been employee whistleblower claims made in New York. This law is meant to encourage public and private employees to speak up when they witness their employers engaging in unlawful activity. Employers cannot retaliate against such employees or employee whistleblowers. If they do,
These are the New York Laws that Aim to Reduce Salary Discrimination, and why you should be aware of them when talking to any potential employer Several New York State laws protect against salary discrimination. One law requires pay equity; the other bans questions about salary history. Since 2019, New York has sought to address
The Recent and Upcoming Changes to Minimum Wage Laws in New York The New York Minimum Wage Act, implemented on December 31, 2018, required that all employees working in the state receive at least $11.10 an hour. This minimum wage increase has affected overtime rates, depending on various unique provisions based on where a business
Like many forms of art or expression, music is protected by copyright law. When using pre-existing music created by someone else to create a so-called “derivative work”, a license is usually necessary. What rights do you need to license for music sampling? A single piece of music may have multiple copyrights attached to it, all
This Blog is made available by Romano Law PLLC for general informational and educational purposes only, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this Blog you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Romano Law PLLC or any individual contributor. You should consult a licensed professional attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.