Opinion
Opinion pieces by our local and syndicated writers.
Miss deferred compensation compliance deadline? You still may be able to fix documents, avoid triple tax if you act quickly
TechLaw: As of January 1, 2009, documents containing deferred compensation must include "magic language" to avoid the adverse tax consequences of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Although the IRS has not provided any relief to taxpayers who missed the deadline, you still may have a limited opportunity to comply.
The patent office in crisis: 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going'
TechLaw: The declining allowance rate for patent applications and the federal budget shortfall present new challenges to a patent system that is already strained and growing in unpopularity. Many inventors are seeking alternative methods to protect their inventions. But don't give up yet!
The American Recovery Reinvestment Act and your business – How can you benefit?
Analysis: Cherry, Bekaert & Holland executive discusses how business could derive support from the economic stimulus package.
The battle of the blog: Legal implications of your employees blogging about the workplace
TechLaw: A single personal blog post by an employee can result in harsh consequences for the employer – without any warning and with few meaningful remedies. Businesses must take careful steps to protect against these unexpected risks and liabilities.
Climate change and the economy: Public policies like ‘cap and trade’ and a carbon tax could have big impacts on our wallets.
Analysis: As the global warming debate continues to heat up, there’s more and more talk about something called “cap and trade” and the so-called “carbon tax.” The economics of climate change bear watching.
Are your click-through agreements enforceable?
TechLaw: The ability to contract online promotes our fast-paced global marketplace, allowing business to be conducted 24/7. Are these agreements, which often are entered into on a whim by a user, enforceable? The answer may surprise you.
It’s good to be green … and silver, and gold, and platinum
TechLaw: No longer the pet project of environmentalists, building green has gone mainstream. Enthusiasm for green projects has grown beyond recycling programs and using compact fluorescent light bulbs. In the face of increased fuel costs, climate-related disasters, regional drought and a wounded economy, going ‘green’ has become a stimulus concept in itself, particularly suitable to the image and marketing of cutting-edge technology companies.
What will the economic recovery look like?
The economic pie will again expand, but slowly. Businesses, and regions, will be competing more for bigger slices than for parts of a larger pie. The successful firms will get ahead by the profitable use of management, marketing, and creativity – skills that will be vital and essential like never before.
The basics of business bankruptcy: Making the best of a bad situation
TechLaw: As we work our way through the ongoing recession, more and more businesses are confronted with the real possibility of bankruptcy. This article highlights some of the basics of business bankruptcy.
Collecting your due – Minimize the risk of loss
TechLaw: The economic downturn has been devastating for all industries, including the technology industry. Now, more than ever, it is important for business owners to arm themselves against non paying customers and to preserve their rights in the future.
As U.S. consumers, why are we finally saving more?
A variety of factors is in a slowing economy is changing the habits of many people when it comes to money. Call it a return to thrift. But is the shift permanent?
A lawyer’s view of life insurance for the business owner – A wise investment?
TechLaw: Believe it or not, life insurance can be a great investment – for your business as well as your beneficiaries. However, like any investment, it requires periodic reviews and adjustments.
Federal stimulus act may power tech spending
TechLaw: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly called the ‘Stimulus Act,’ presents both opportunities and challenges for technology companies.
Does your company have terrorism risk insurance?
TechLaw: Technology companies are of extreme importance to our national defense and economic systems and, therefore, high profile targets for terrorist attacks. A terrorist attack could result in massive losses for any company unfortunate enough to be targeted, and any company with valuable property should consider whether it is insured adequately for such an event.
Is the economy getting any better?
Analysis: Think of our current economic situation as the letter "U." Moving from top to bottom along the left part of the U represents the recession. However, notice that before the bottom of the U is reached - which represents the bottom of the recession - the rate, or pace, of the decline slows down. This is where the economy is today. We're still dropping but not as fast.
