Can I Avoid The Cost and Registration Requirements of Franchising By Another Form of Business Contract or Agreement?

California has very specific laws about how business relationships are structured, and whether or not a business contract constitutes a “franchise”, a “distributorship”, a “licensee” or simply a normal transaction of goods and services.  I cannot stress enough the severity of business risk a company undertakes by attempting to mask one...

Plaintiffs have gained the advantage in California.

With all the budget cuts in California state courts plaintiffs have gained the advantage in litigation related matters. Lawsuits now take twice as long to get to court.  What is worse is that plaintiffs may now attempt engage in unethical and overly aggressive tactics and the courts simply have a...

Federal appellate court rejects secret business disputes court

On behalf of Daniel Watkins of Watkins Firm, A Professional Corporation posted on Saturday, October 26, 2013. Arbitration proceedings can be an excellent way for businesses to resolve their disputes and often the private and secret nature of arbitration is appealing to businesses. Businesses throughout San Diego, California and the rest of the nation...

California business dispute precedes trademark sale

On behalf of Daniel Watkins of Watkins Firm, A Professional Corporatio posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. California readers will recognize the name ‘Cuties,’ used in the marketing of tiny mandarin oranges grown in California and sold throughout the nation. Roll Global LLC, the owner of subsidiary Paramount Citrus, owned the brand of seedless...

Energy companies a concentrated target of hackers

On behalf of Daniel Watkins of Watkins Firm, A Professional Corporation posted on Friday, March 29, 2013. Businesses do not simply want to handle an issue after it presents itself, but they instead want to protect themselves and minimize the risk that the company might find itself involved in business litigation. In the age...