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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Facing the uncomfortable to reduce family discord after you are gone
TechLaw: Many technology company executives and investors execute a will assuming that it will dictate the distribution of their assets when they die. However, family disputes over wills are far more common than you might think. Addressing difficult issues before your will is executed can better protect your wishes and avoid the emotional and financial toll family discord can exact on your loved ones.
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New North Carolina law on foundation funds - UPMIFA
TechLaw: Many technology company successes have funded charitable foundations, and many technology company executives sit on the boards of charitable foundations. The North Carolina General Assembly has improved the law that applies to those foundations.
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Web sites for owners associations: Helpful or harmful?
TechLaw: Desiring to save money in today's economy, many owners associations are moving from paper newsletters and mailings to online information that can be accessed immediately by their memberships. Web sites have many great benefits; however, if not utilized properly, they can become more trouble than they are worth and create legal liabilities.
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Jobs decline, jobless rate drops: Does unemployment rate tell us everything?
Analysis: Statistics don’t track ‘discouraged workers’ – those who have quit looking for work. Bottom line – N.C.’s unemployment rate is worse than the numbers say.
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By transforming itself, Big Blue is weathering world economic storm
Analysis: Even as IT spending falters in recession and competitive landscape changes with Oracle acquiring Sun, IBM maintains buoyancy with its ability to find the right match of cost-cutting or outsourcing solutions or offering strong revenue-generation opportunities through consulting and systems integration.
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A tech company lesson in non-cash compensation options
TechLaw: Exploring creative compensation structures common to technology companies such as stock options or phantom stock may help a company retain talent while weathering the current economic storm.
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What’s up with ‘cloud computing?’ The promise is real, but the hype is extreme, too
Analysis: If everyone continues throwing ‘cloud’ terminology around, it will be perceived as meaning everything to everyone, which means it’ll end up meaning nothing at all. Vendors owe their customers and prospects messaging that’s long on honest portrayal and short on hype.
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Why is N.C. unemployment so high – and heading higher? Manufacturing – or lack thereof
Opinion: Ours is still a manufacturing state. The proportion of the workforce engaged in manufacturing is 30% higher than the national average. Manufacturing always gets hit harder during recessions for one simple reason: consumers and businesses can postpone purchasing manufactured goods.
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‘We Work for Health’ – New group seeks to spark medical innovation in N.C.
Biotech, pharmaceutical and medical science firms across the state form ‘one of the biggest life science engines in the country,’ NCBIO executive tells group at kickoff event. He cautions against changes that would ‘undermine’ that engine.
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Private eyes are watching you: The legality of employers’ use of GPS devices to monitor employees
TechLaw: Many companies issue cellular phones or other electronic devices to their employees for work-related use. These devices often make employees' lives easier, but they also may be tracking every step the employees take. Employers should be careful in tracking employees' personal travel.
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Recession hits harder for foreign workers
TechLaw: The economic climate has had new and unexpected effects on nearly every facet of business. Those persons holding H1-B visas are not immune from the current recession's reach, but there is positive news for foreign investors seeking permanent residence in the United States.
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Google’s cross-platform advertising strategy is a shambles
A year or two ago, Google’s bold, sweeping advertising strategy seemed to be written in the stars: It was on a roll, and there was no stopping its algorithmic rigor from vanquishing old-economy advertising and industry titans. It was simply more efficient. But one by one, Google’s challenges proved much tougher than the company anticipated, and the economic contraction has only made things worse.
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How bad is the economy? Recession is already the longest since Great Depression
Analysis: A recovery won’t begin until fourth quarter this year, but there are some encouraging signs such as in housing sales. However, rebound will be slow in development, and North Carolina will continue to suffer.
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Resolving complex business disputes efficiently: The North Carolina Business Court
TechLaw: Businesses that know of the North Carolina Business Court find that its specialized interest in, and knowledge of, business law matters makes settling or litigating complex business disputes easier and more efficient than in the general courts.
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April Fools flood begins: TheFunded’s shutdown the first prank of many?
Controversial Website's founder Adeo Ressi says post about it shutting down 'was a weekend prank.'
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Remembering William Little – RTI's CEO salutes a giant in development of RTP
RTI International CEO Victoria Haynes praises life, achievements of the late UNC-CH professor who helped create RTP. ‘Bill always took the long view,’ Haynes recalls. ‘He was a bit of a dreamer in that sense but a very practical one. He turned dreams into reality by being very practical by getting into the details and by working hard to make things happen.’
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Memo to Web advertisers: Stop counting impressions, and start making them
What makes for great advertising on the Web is no different from what makes for great advertising in a magazine, TV show, billboard or the underside of a Snapple bottle cap: creativity. If your Web advertising doesn’t start with that, it won’t end with the results you’re after.
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Indies and fat cats share spotlight at Game Developers Conference
The awards program is a rare gathering of both the industry fat cats and the little people. Games are a huge business, but the awards remind us they’re also an art form rich with emotion and passion.
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‘Let’s shake on it’: Understanding when a handshake and an oral contract just doesn’t cut it
TechLaw: Parties entering into an agreement should understand when the law requires an agreement to be in writing in order to be enforceable
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As N.C. faces money crisis, is there a better way to budget?
Times of economic difficulty are often associated with bursts of innovation and creative thinking. Therefore, now may be the perfect time to review some of our assumptions and procedures regarding the state budget.
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Cisco’s ‘Swiss Army’ datacenter
Analysis: Networking giant’s ‘Unified Computing System’ starts in the datacenter. With more than $30 billion in cash, Cisco is one of few vendors who can make such an aggressive play in the current economic environment.
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iTunes finally gets the HD picture. DVDs to exit my life.
Digital distribution is the future of movies. Blu-ray was always just a bridge to that, and now that bridge is a bit more narrow.
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Internet privacy? No - Your interests are Google’s interests
Analysis: Ad tracking tools track your Web browsing. And we were concerned about the Bush Administration tapping our phones?
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Think before you speak - Avoiding waiver of the attorney-client privilege through issuance of a press release
TechLaw: A press release can be an effective way to respond publicly to a claim or lawsuit alleging infringement, deceptive advertising, or other nefarious business practices. However, care must be taken in drafting a press release in order to avoid waiver of the attorney-client privilege.
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Sony’s PlayStation 3 blockbuster: Killzone 2 lives up to the hype
Sequel may be one of the best-looking games and most intense gaming experiences we’ll see in this generation of game consoles. This game is the best-looking and the most fun, even better than gears of War 2.
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As IBM weathers the storm, will U.S. employees be left out in the cold?
Opinion: In the midst of the economic crisis, IBM achieved record revenue, record pre-tax earnings, record earnings per share and record free cash flow. Yet 5,000 U.S., Canada Big Blue workers recently lost their jobs.
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Business Process Outsourcing puts Sri Lanka on the global sourcing map
Sri Lanka is some way down the list of global sourcing locations, but its newly created outsourcing trade association believes that the country has the necessary attributes to become a leading center for business process outsourcing. Although the country has learnt much from India's success it must develop its own strengths and focus on attracting high-profile vendors over the next few years.
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Google Voice: a killer phone application
Application adds free transcription to your voice messages on a tidy Web page, as well as SMS forwarding to your cell phone, and host of other goodies I’m convinced will make a lot of people run out and start using it. It’s free for national calls, and competitively priced for international calls.
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Patent owners may not avoid patent exhaustion through contract restrictions
TechLaw: Even if you are very careful in drafting license agreement restrictions, federal patent law may make such restrictions unenforceable.
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The grand challenge for science and math - generating excitement
Students may resist geek studies. But they'll flock in for the opportunity to change the world. The funding and the demand for jobs will be there.
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Housing’s domino effect – Other states’ woes affect North Carolina’s growth
The inability of many families to sell their home in one state has prevented them from moving to another state. And because North Carolina has been a leader in attracting households and families from other regions, the slowdown in interstate migration has curtailed our economic growth rate. But there are reasons for hope.
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Will border violence hurt offshore outsourcing into Mexico?
Analysis: Drug-related violence in communities on the U.S.-Mexico border could cause concern among outsourcers and their clients with contact center deployments in Mexico.
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Blackwater’s departing founder is one interesting guy
Innovation Exchange: Like him or not, Erik Prince isn’t afraid to speak his mind – and he has no love for the press.
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Are the terms of your trust still trustworthy? Opportunities for trust modification in a down market
TechLaw: Many business owners create trusts to protect their personal assets and to insure the transfer of their hard-earned wealth to loved ones. In the current economy, underperforming investments may render the terms of a trust unworkable, undesirable, or inefficient. In certain cases, the terms of a trust may be modified to avoid these and other pitfalls.
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Why skilled immigrants are leaving the U.S.
Analysis: New research shows that highly skilled workers are returning home for brighter career prospects and a better quality of life.
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Shaking the broadband money tree
The Innovation Exchange: It's going to be interesting to watch as traditional wireline telcos, cable companies, and wireless providers line up to take advantage of the grants.
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Where will rural counties find jobs? There are ways.
Is there a way for rural areas to compete and attract jobs? Definitely. The answer lies not in rural areas trying to be just like their urban cousins, but in rural regions using their unique features and advantages to find matching companies.
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The legal implications of a paperless office
TechLaw: The decision for a business to go paperless is motivated by a combination of factors including increases in productivity, measures to save costs, the need to conserve office space, and efforts to be environmentally conscious. However, before destroying all paper documents, every business should be aware of the legal implications associated with going paperless.
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Apple to Verizon: Can you hear me now? Maybe.
While some are suggesting an iPhone on Verizon could happen as soon as this year, Apple’s deal with AT&T was extended until 2010 last summer.
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Facebook reverts to old terms of service, working on new version that 'everybody can understand'
'Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities' seeks user feedback.
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Knock, knock – ICE is at the door: Analysis of a raid and steps to minimize employer exposure
TechLaw: The United States government has increased its pursuit of employers that employ unauthorized foreign workers. Employers that may be at risk would be well advised to review their hiring policies before the government comes knocking on the door.
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As crisis deepens, what are you going to do about it?
Our problems will continue to get worse if we all just sit back, do nothing, and wait for the government to bail us out. At this point, doing nothing is not an option.
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Microsoft makes a play in retail sector to regain its mojo, but …
Apple is running retail outlets successfully, but Microsoft is no Apple. Plus, the list of other IT retail failures looms large, including failed efforts by Dell, IBM, and Gateway.
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Whopper of a merger for Wyeth, Pfizer – but questionable long-term value
Analysis: Pfizer’s acquisition of Wyeth immediately brings scale but will fail to deliver sustainable sales growth.
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Contract danger zones – A lesson in reading the fine print
TechLaw: Many parties entering into agreements understand that the fine print of a contract can have potential pitfalls. However, there are common provisions that can be added to most agreements that would save time and trouble in the future for all parties.
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Will the Obama stimulus plan really work?
Due to so much uncertainty and fear about the economy, many are counting on the plan to turn the economy around. But here's the big ($800 billion) question: will it?
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How ‘Green’ can you go?
TechLaw: The ‘Green Revolution’ is in full flower in the United States. Owners and lessees, particularly tech-oriented businesses, take great pride in their green initiatives. However, many do not immediately recognize that the rain water falling on their buildings and parking lots is at the forefront of environmental protection in North Carolina.
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Most watched Super Bowl ever means more people hate 3-D glasses
I’m still the party-pooper on this one. I’d love to see high-quality 3-D become a reality, when it really can be done in a top-notch way. Until then, this just sets the cause back.
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VC performance dipped back in Q3 2008, new report indicates
Venture capital performance didn’t do too badly during the third quarter of 2008, according to the Private Equity Performance Index calculated by Thomson Reuters and the National Venture Capital Association.
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Source: Intel prepping for mass roll-out of Android netbooks
As netbook sales continue to pick up in a struggling world economy, Intel, which makes the processors found in many of those netbooks, is mulling over how best to profit from that market.
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Windows Mobile 6.5 IE looks, well, awful
Latest screenshots of Microsoft’s WIndows Mobile 6.5 show the OS’s version of its Web browser, Internet Explorer (IE). Quite frankly, it looks awful.
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Shareholder agreements: Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
TechLaw: If you are a shareholder of a closely-held corporation that does not have a shareholder agreement, you may be in for some unpleasant and costly surprises. Most, if not all, of those surprises can be prevented or remedied simply by adopting a carefully considered and well-drafted shareholder agreement in advance.
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Independent Games Festival to pick best indie mobile games
For those interested in funding game startups, the list of nominees at the Independent Games Festival is always a good place to look for prospects.
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Q4 venture investing plummets; silver lining in cleantech?
New data shows venture capital investments plummeted during the final three months of 2008. But, the most compelling silver lining may just lie in cleantech.
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Slowdown even takes a toll on Microsoft
Analysis: Latest earnings report hits high-tech giant hard. Microsoft has been a stable financial performer regardless of the economic environment. No longer.
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Microsoft faces more antitrust browser obstacles in Europe, but …
Analysis: Web browser marketplace is more competitive than ever, so is Opera in justified in filing complaint?
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(An IT agenda for) change you can believe in
Naming the nation’s first chief technology officer is one step toward turning rhetoric into action.
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Protecting your personal assets: Avoiding a creditor’s attempt to hold you personally liable for the actions of your business
TechLaw: The liability protection afforded by many modern business entities such as limited liability companies and corporations is one of the central benefits of forming a business using those entities. But business owners must be careful in how their businesses are operated in order to maintain their limited liability protection.
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Government’s $2 trillion economic bailout – Saved for now, pay much bigger price later?
Analysis: U.S. may be trading more growth, more income, and more jobs today for less growth, less income, and fewer jobs tomorrow.
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The Bayh-Dole Act’s U.S. Manufacturing Preference and the global marketplace: The importance of waivers.
TechLaw: The Bayh-Dole Act has long been known for helping university researchers bring technology and other inventions to the consumer and business markets. However, as the business environment becomes more global, meeting the Act's U.S. manufacturing preference may be difficult to achieve, making allowed waivers more important.
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Next economic challenge – Should we worry about deflation?
What could impact be other than falling your prices? A smaller paycheck. If companies are earning less money from what they sell, then they’ll have less money to pay workers.
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New Year, new browser and seven natural wonders of the world
The Innovation Exchange: When it comes to browsing the Web, Firefox is tops. What’s up with Apple? And check out the ‘seven wonders’ voting.
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Revolutionizing business markets with games
The big question is no longer 'will businesses ever leverage the power of games?' That question was answered years ago. The question now is, 'what major market will be revolutionized by video games next?'
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Protecting your assets in tough economic times
TechLaw: Asset protection is a critical and relevant issue to most individuals - particularly during tough economic times. This article addresses asset protection planning.
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Marketing in a recession – Desiring results in dire times
Opinion: Desire is the raging river that turns society's wheels. And though its force may be at a low ebb right now, that river does not run dry. Even in 2009, savvy marketers will find the right currents and deliver exceptional results to their bosses or clients.
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Covering your intangible assets – Intellectual property insurance
TechLaw: The number of intellectual property claims involving patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secrets has skyrocketed in recent years. The American Intellectual Property Law Association estimates that the average cost to litigate a patent infringement suit exceeds one million dollars. A competitor can financially wreck a company that does not have adequate funds to protect and enforce its intellectual property. Proper insurance can help avert disaster.
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Sony Vaio Pocket leaked — Hope you have cargo pants
The leaked specs for Sony’s Vaio Pocket, as it’s to be called, are calling into question just how low cost it could be - and how big.
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Sex, lies and e-mails: Marriage and divorce in the age of the World Wide Web
TechLaw: We have rushed head first into the world of quick and easy electronic communication by e-mails, text messages, and social networking sites such as MySpace® and Facebook®. But what an impact these communications can have on our lives if they are found and publicly disclosed.
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What next for Lenovo? Look for focus on efficiency
Analysis: Global economic slowdown gives world’s No. 4 PC maker a chance to improve internal operations and emerge as a stronger company.
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Investment or enjoyment: Are we now looking at our homes differently?
National indicators show housing values falling from 10 to 20 percent over the past year. The numbers aren't quite as dire for North Carolina. The bottom line is that our view of homeownership has now shifted back toward consumption and away from investment.
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Tenants beware: Record your lease or prepare to lose your rights
TechLaw: Most business owners know that their lease must be in writing to be enforceable against the landlord. Many do not know that something more must be done to make the lease enforceable against persons other than their landlord.
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Apple developing inexpensive a counter to ‘netbooks’
Analysis: Look of Steve Jobs to unveil a new mobile device in January that will be more than an iPhone but not just a less expensive Mac.
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Global economic crisis impacts on foreign workers and their home countries
A potentially bigger threat to the well-being of developing countries than global slowdown is that remittances - the cash that migrant workers send to the loved ones they leave behind - appear to be falling, for the first time in decades.
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SEC to change accounting rules: Bridging the gap between GAAP and IFRS
TechLaw: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently announced a proposed timetable to change the accounting rules that public companies use to prepare financial statements filed with the SEC. This change could impact your business in the future.
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Employer Labor Certification Filing using PERM – The possible results that await
TechLaw: After an employer has followed the recruitment steps required by the Department of Labor to begin the process for obtaining permanent residence status for a foreign worker, the employer is ready to file the application for labor certification using PERM.
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Recessions aren’t new – But current one (13th since 1940s) will be long one
North Carolina won’t escape harm, either. State’s the unemployment rate will rise to above 8 percent in 2009 and perhaps hit 10 percent in early 2010.
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Step one in employment-based permanent residence: Getting to know Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) system
TechLaw: If an employer wants to hire a talented foreign worker on a permanent basis, it must apply for permanent residence on the worker's behalf – for a "green card." The employer must follow recruitment steps required by the Department of Labor.
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The genomic frontier: Personalized medicine in action
The day we begin aggregating and analyzing data across large numbers of genomes in earnest is the day we will be able to expose the genetic underpinnings of humanity’s most complex diseases.
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Startups: Finding the upside of a global downturn
Analysis: Veteran exec Vivek Wadhwa's advice for tech entrepreneurs thinking of launching right now? Don't wait. A recession can be your ally in building a lean, thriving company.
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Cell phones and e-mail: Are you compromising your confidential information?
TechLaw: The advent of new technologies such as PDAs and other wireless handheld devices has made communication more convenient than ever. As useful as these technologies are, it is important to recognize that they could have dramatic implications relating to the confidentiality of information.
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What recession? Videogame sales surge 18% in October
Hardware, software, accessory sales also increase worldwide. Data tracking firm expects 2008 to be a record year.
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Can new leaders lead to a new economy?
Are there any quick silver bullets to make things better, or do economic questions have, at best, only long-run answers? The challenges are many – and huge.
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Do you extend credit to customers or check credit reports? Mandatory compliance with FTC identity theft red flag and address discrepancy rules is required.
TechLaw: Does your business extend credit to customers or regularly use credit reports? If so, you need to put policies and procedures in place to comply with the recently enacted Red Flag and Address Discrepancy Rules of the Federal Trade Commission.
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An agenda for the Obama and Bush meeting
As president-elect huddles with president today, Competitive Enterprise Institute has some suggestions for topics to discuss – with an emphasis on freedom, not more central planning.
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A pigskin perspective on intellectual property and the economy
TechLaw: Like a football team in a rebuilding year, what a company does in down economic times to protect its intellectual property rights can create competitive advantages for years to come.
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‘In re Bilski’ case: Back to the future for ‘process patents’
Federal court decision breathes new life into the Supreme Court's tests of the early 1970s and 1980s addressing what constitutes patent eligible subject matter.
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Don’t let tough times get you down – Tech companies can still accelerate sales
How, you ask? By improving your lead quality. Most marketing campaigns are still being evaluated based on the quantity of leads produced or cost-per-lead, but not on actual lead quality.
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Technology and the next president – Where do candidates stand? (Part II)
Innovation Exchange: Among many challenges facing the new president will be numerous technology specific issues. What are John McCain and Barrack Obama saying? Here’s part two of our breakdown.
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Technology and the next president – Where do candidates stand?
Innovation Exchange: Among many challenges facing the new president will be numerous technology specific issues. What are John McCain and Barrack Obama saying?
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‘Life is like a videogame – Everybody’s got to die sometime’: Can makers be held liable?
TechLaw: Many videogames contain graphic depictions of violence. Can videogame developers and manufacturers be held legally responsible if a gamer or viewer ‘acts out’ the violence in real life?
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Families embrace videogames as mainstream entertainment
Survey shows more than half of married couples and nearly half of families share in videogame entertainment.
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Can government steer the economic ship?
Analysis: The federal government is taking steps to try to ease the economic pain. But how is the government doing this, and what are the possible pitfalls and costs.
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What next for Microsoft? Diversification means growth even in tough times
Analysis: Microsoft’s spending control efforts likely will remain shallow since the company’s core business will likely remain strong in spite of the current economic downturn.
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‘E3’ show will be bigger in 2009 – but will interactive entertainment showcase be better?
The bottom line is that E3 is broken, and the Electronic Software Association is trying to fix it. It's likely this year is the last chance to get it right.
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Another strong quarter for Apple – Core products, products strong
Analysis: Steve Jobs and company appear to be well positioned to deal with adversity.
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Programs initiated to speed travelers on their way
TechLaw: Tired of long security lines at the airport? Pre-approved travelers now can benefit from new programs implemented to streamline the entry and departure process into and out of the United States.
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With Wall Street a bit quieter, what do you do next with your dollars?
Bottom line is this: Living beyond your means can be hazardous to your financial health.
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The times they are 'changing' – but how can execs make sure change is better?
Most ‘change’ programs fail, but a consistent and structured change management approach can yield tangible benefits, says IBM survey.
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'Max Payne' movie delivers on gaming action
Mark Wahlberg elevates the videogame film genre with Max Payne, the first adaptation that should satisfy both gamers and mainstream audiences.
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IBM’s earnings: Software ‘remains bedrock’ for success
Big Blue’s software business continues to produce strong revenue and profit growth, but the segment is experiencing changes in the nature of its business due to the worsening financial environment. However, 2009 growth looks stable.
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Managing employee absenteeism: They have to enter to win
TechLaw: Frequent absences by employees not only hamper company productivity, but also can send a clear signal (good or bad) to other employees about whether or not such behavior will be tolerated by an employer. For this reason, it is extremely important to address excessive absenteeism early, before it becomes an epidemic among all.
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Many money lessons learned – the hard way
Analysis: What can you learn from the financial meltdown? A great deal. Here are just a few pointers: Knowledge, diversification, risks, age.
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Gaming for a good cause
Website Play2Cures provides casual game entertainment – and opportunity to support fund raising, research.
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Attention, gamers: Attend BlizzCon from the comfort of your home
Pay-per-view event to offer inside look at sold-out gaming convention.
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The company workout plan: Legal considerations when implementing an employee wellness program
TechLaw: Rising health-insurance costs have caused many employers to implement employee wellness programs to encourage healthy lifestyles for employees. The consequences of not complying with regulations surrounding such wellness programs, however, could make employers sick.
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In midst of economic maelstrom, some are seeking, will find next wave
The perennial gale of creative destruction incessantly destroys the old economic structure and incessantly creates a new one.
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Looking for leadership in time of crisis
Innovation Exchange: Upcoming ‘Security, Threats & Risk’ conference will explore variety of threats we face.
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Wall Street crisis: No easy answers to ‘bailout’ questions
Bottom line: Most economists think a Great Depression type downturn is out of the question. We’re a bigger, stronger, and more resilient economy than seventy years ago. But also, fixing the financial system won’t automatically cause unemployment to drop and incomes to rise. The housing market must first be balanced, and that will still take time – probably at least a year.
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Don’t let this election season become open season on your workplace
TechLaw: The presidential election and the age, race, and gender characteristics of the candidates have generated significant debate concerning age, racial, and gender issues. While this election is interesting and historically groundbreaking, when this debate spills over into the workplace, employers must react carefully to avoid claims of unlawful harassment by employees.
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Why is it so hard to stimulate innovation inside big corporations?
Silo mentality certainly plays a role. How to break through? Creating a small, ad hoc team to get initial traction for a new idea is exactly right in our experience.
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Video gaming isn’t ending world as we know it after all …
New survey shows teens’ gaming experiences lead to social interaction – and civic engagement.
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Online gamers don’t fit stereotypes, new survey shows
Not everyone is a nerd. The average age is 31, playing time increases with age, and 20 percent of players are women. Oh, they also are 10 percent leaner than most Americans.
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State securities regulation: Selling the blue sky
TechLaw: You are ready to take your business to the next level. All you need is an infusion of capital from willing investors. You've already determined that you can issue securities under an exemption to the registration requirements of the federal securities laws, so you immediately can start offering securities to investors, right? Not so fast! There are at least 50 other securities regulators out there, and some of them might have something to say about your securities offering.
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What factors determine what you earn? How can you increase your value?
Do something that many people place a high value on, be one of only a few who can do it and you'll be able to write your own ticket.
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Game contests let you test your skills – and perhaps win prizes
GameStop looking for Guitar Heroes, and EA Sports offers a football challenge.
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Applications market for digital cars is revving up
A dominant computing platform to build to for cars has yet to emerge, but automotive original equipment manufacturers are feeling the pressure from consumer electronics devices and are slowly adopting third-party technologies.
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Healthy profits, sick marriage: Estate planning for the separated business owner
TechLaw: Your business is soaring, but your marriage has crashed. As a separated business owner, you need to keep in mind several estate-planning considerations. This article provides tips that can't save your marriage, but may save your business.
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NHL season gets an early start – through videogames
EA Sports, 2K Sports offer new titles for on-ice gamers, but 2K strikes deeper with Wii version.
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Digital rights management war may be brewing – Hollywood vs. Apple?
New consortium creating Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem as a counter to Apple’s closed DRM technology.
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Pay-if-paid: Can they really not pay me for my work?
TechLaw: You have submitted your work, which is wholly satisfactory, but it was performed under a subcontract which says you are paid when the primary contractor gets paid – and the party to whom the work ultimately was delivered isn’t paying. Will you ever get paid?
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When will the housing crunch end?
In the early part of this decade, in order to combat the 2001 recession and the aftermath of 9/11, the Federal Reserve pushed interest rates to a generation low and simultaneously flooded the economy with money and credit. The table was set for a huge borrowing spree. Residential housing was a likely recipient for this borrowing.
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Browser wars: Chrome more than capable of taking on IE, Firefox
While it’s still a few iterations from displacing Firefox as my browser of choice, Chrome already provides a much more pleasant web experience than Microsoft’s newest competitor Internet Explorer 8 (also in beta).
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NCSU conducting Internet Privacy Survey, participants welcome
A new online survey is under way to gather information about Internet privacy policies and user opinions and values.
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Thank you SEC: Recent securities law changes may increase the value of your company's stock
TechLaw: Restricted stock is a key medium of exchange in the tech world. Employees, angels, and owners of sold or merged companies often receive restricted stock. The SEC recently relaxed some of the restrictions on resale.
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The complex science of buying light bulbs, at least in North Carolina
How many North Carolinians does it take to buy a light bulb? Millions, thanks to centrally-planned energy efficiency programs.
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Interesting in gaming career? More colleges are offering degree programs
Video game industry is booming, and colleges such as Wake Tech are responding to help train workers of future.
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What’s next for China’s economy? A post-Olympic slowdown
Effects are likely to be felt most in manufacturing sector as companies shift IT focus to cost savings from revenue generation – just as many Western companies are doing.
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GPL 3 – The good, the bad, and the patent protected
TechLaw: In the midst of the one-year anniversary of the final release of version 3 of the General Public License ("GPL 3"), all seems relatively quiet. After the heated debate over draft releases in 2006 and early 2007, little may be left for the final version itself. However, there are provisions in GPL 3 that are controversial, and only time will tell the impact they will have on the open source community.
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Should you keep up with the Joneses or yourself?
‘Look at your own paycheck’ is one way to measure whether you are really better off economically than others.
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Is Seinfeld Microsoft's new pitchman?
Microsoft is still being very secretive about its new $300 million advertising campaign that it plans to unleash shortly, but comedian Jerry Seinfeld will play a key role in it, the Wall Street Journal reported this week.
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Get the credit you deserve – The North Carolina Research and Development Tax Credit
TechLaw: The General Assembly just extended the life of the state's research and development tax credit for five years. Large and small businesses should not ignore this powerful tax savings tool.
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RIAA speaks on Muxtape: Illegal content
Illegal content. That’s why the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took down the online music mix tape maker Muxtape on Tuesday, it said in a statement to Portfolio’s Sam Gustin.
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The goal is simple with Yahoo Buzz: Yahoo! homepage or bust
True to its name, Yahoo’s social voting news site Buzz has garnered a lot of buzz since its launch back in February. But, as the site truly opens up to the public this week, we’ll see if it’s worthy or not.
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Economic Rivalry: Keep up with the Joneses or Yourself?
Perspective is important. Life is more complicated for a “keeping up with the Joneses” person. Gains must be compared to the gains of others. But, which approach you decide to use will determine not only how you view your own situation, but also how you view the progress of the entire economy.
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Sales and use tax collection: Pinning the tail on Internet retailers
TechLaw: The state of New York's most recent attempt at imposing on Internet retailers the obligation to collect use tax on sales to residents of New York already is causing controversy. If this law withstands challenge, it may result in similar revisions in other states.
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Are you ready for some Madden? Get ready for hits – and action
How's Madden 09? I've had the chance to play the game several times over the past few months, and have had an early code and final copy for some time now. I can tell you the game's the best football videogame ever made.
