New York City Intellectual Property Law Blog

Handling business litigation as a parent

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in business torts/litigation on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Any business owner may have a tough time when their company is taken to court, but this can be an especially unnerving experience for some, such as those who have kids. If your business is being sued for any reason, from product liability to issues involving your staff members, we completely understand how overwhelmed you may feel. Moreover, as a parent, you may be going through other challenges at this time (such as adjusting to a school schedule). However, you should not feel alone, as there are many other parents in New York who are facing similar challenges.

During back-to-school season or at any other time of year, such as the holiday season, business lawsuits can be particularly tough for parents to handle. It could be helpful to discuss some of the challenges you are working through with your kids and look for ways to reduce the impact of litigation on your entire family. By approaching your case appropriately, you may be much closer to leaving these stressors behind and moving forward with your life.

Finding answers to commercial real estate questions

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in commercial real estate on Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

Whether you are approaching a commercial real estate transaction and do not have any experience with these deals or you have successfully worked through many commercial real estate transactions over the years, you may have a number of questions. For example, you may be unsure which decision is in your best interests, worried about potential problems that could arise at some point in the future or you may even have questions related to real estate law. Regardless, it is vital to find the most optimal path forward and make sure that your interests are protected.

Across New York, a number of companies and individuals have run into problems over commercial real estate transactions because they were unsure of what to do and pushed on regardless. If you are unsure of your rights, for example, you may allow yourself or your business to be taken advantage of. Moreover, you could be unfamiliar with certain aspects of real estate law, which could lead to major complications down the road. As a result, you should make sure that you know what you are doing before moving forward.

Litigation over business fraud

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in business torts/litigation on Friday, September 7, 2018.

We have gone over some of the different reasons why business owners are taken to court or decide to file suit against a competitor over allegations of wrongdoing. In this post, we will look into some of the considerations related to accusations of business fraud. Whether your company is being taken to court over this offense or you are thinking about filing a lawsuit against another company because they have defrauded you, it is vital to know which option is best for you. Not only is your company's reputation possibly on the line, but the financial implications of legal action could be significant.

If you are stressed out over accusations that you company committed fraud, you should carefully go over all the details which surround the case and you should also know your rights. By having a solid grasp of the laws that are relevant to this case and knowing which direction you are heading, your chances of a favorable end result may be greater. Likewise, if you are thinking about taking legal action against another company over fraud, you should carefully go over all of the details which surround the case.

Addressing an estate dispute with your sibling

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in estate planning and probate on Friday, August 31, 2018.

From tough decisions that have to be made while creating an estate plan to hurdles that surface once a loved one passes away, there are many legal considerations for people who are dealing with estate planning and probate matters. Unfortunately, some of these matters can lead to bitter disagreements that often involve family members, such as a sibling. There are a number of reasons why families in New York may run into these problems and in this write-up, we will look at how they can affect sibling relationships.

For beneficiaries and those who have been put in charge of an estate plan, there may be a number of reasons why a dispute arises. For example, sometimes beneficiaries believe that they were not given property which they were entitled to, placing the blame on the executor of an estate. With this in mind, there are also executors who are wrongly accused of violating their fiduciary duties, whether someone accusing them of wrongdoing does not understand how the process works, is not aware of what they were supposed to receive or even intentionally accuses the executor of abusing their duties because of hard feelings.

Some benefits of starting a C-corp

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in business formation & planning on Tuesday, August 28, 2018.

For those who are preparing to launch a business, there are many decisions to make. However, it is essential to identify the most sensible type of business during the entity selection process. At Codispoti & Associates, we know how vital it is for entrepreneurs in New York to make the right decision during this crucial stage and for some, a C-corp will make the most sense. In this write-up, we will examine some of the reasons why C-corps can be so beneficial for business owners. However, it is crucial to thoroughly compare all of your options before moving forward.

In some instances, forming a C-corp can be less complicated in comparison to other options. Moreover, C-corps can be more straightforward with respect to equity compensation and may also offer certain tax-related benefits. If you plan on going public, a C-corp can be advantageous in this regard as well. These are just some of the potential advantages of this route and there are a number of other ways in which a C-corp may be ideal, depending on your circumstances.

Buying or selling a co-op

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in commercial real estate on Friday, August 24, 2018.

There are a variety of considerations when it comes to commercial real estate sales and our blog has covered many of them. From selling some commercial real estate for the first time to handling a dispute, this area of law can bring up uncertainty and it is crucial to work through any areas of concern correctly. In this piece, we will examine some of the reasons why it is important to ensure that the right steps are taken with respect to buying or selling a co-op.

There are many different factors that you will have to carefully consider if you plan on moving forward with the purchase or sale of a co-op. For example, it is essential to carefully go over any contracts before signing your name and make sure that you have done all you can to avoid unnecessary challenges, even though disputes may arise regardless. If you have any questions related to the transaction, it is very important for you to make sure that you have found the correct answers before you move ahead.

What are common area maintenance fees in a commercial lease?

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

In some ways, a commercial lease is much like a residential lease. You spend time looking for a property with the right amenities and location. Then, you negotiate with the landlord to secure a lease. Typically, you must complete a background check and verify your income to obtain a good lease.

All those things are issues that you may have experienced while applying for a residential lease in the past. If this is your first commercial lease, however, you may not be expecting the fees that you will have to pay. Educating yourself about how commercial leases differ from residential leases can be helpful.

Litigation as a result of unfair competition

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in intellectual property on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

We have discussed many different legal topics related to intellectual property, from copyright matters to trade secrets. That being said, you may be dealing with other challenges related to this area of law, such as litigation over other examples of unfair competition. Perhaps the company you run is being accused of this offense by a competitor, or maybe you are thinking about filing a lawsuit over another business that has violated your rights with respect to unfair competition. Either way, it is vital to know exactly how you can protect your interests and work toward an end result that is in your favor.

Whether a competitor has spread lies about your products or attempted to cause damage via predatory pricing, there are a number of ways in which unfair competition occurs. When these violations take place, they can be highly damaging not only with respect to a company's bottom line but their reputation as well. Unfortunately, unfair competition has resulted in untold damage in this regard.

Discussing legal issues with business partners

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. posted in business torts/litigation on Thursday, August 2, 2018.

Business litigation rears its head for many reasons, as we have discussed in many of the examples provided on this blog. From lawsuits over intellectual property to contract disputes, companies are taken to court for a plethora of reasons. Sometimes, a business is able to secure a favorable outcome in court, while others may not be so lucky. There are many different factors that contribute to the outcome of a case, including details which may seem somewhat insignificant at first. However, being on the same page with your business partners can be tremendously helpful when these matters arise.

Regardless of the type of dispute you are in the middle of, talking with business partners could provide a clearer sense of the best direction forward and help make sure that everyone is on the same page. During business litigation, emotions on all sides can run high. Sometimes, unsuccessful outcomes and the way in which a case is handled can have a negative impact with respect to key business partnerships, which highlights how essential communication is. Moreover, some of your business partners may be able to offer ideas and input that has been overlooked.

An executor is responsible for carrying out many tasks

On behalf of Codispoti & Associates, P.C. on Monday, July 30, 2018.

The probate process is full of many twists and turns, which can make life difficult on the executor of the will. On one side of things, it's an honor to serve as the executor of a will and testament.

Conversely, this can be a scary and often intimidating experience, as you know you have many responsibilities to ensure that the person's last wishes are granted.