Features
Appellate Court Says Waiver Enforceable, Notwithstanding Statute
Many state franchise or distributor statutes contain provisions that purport to limit the enforceability of waivers or releases signed by dealers or franchisees. The restrictions on waivers are often justified on claimed "inequality of power" between the manufacturer or distributor and franchisee. One court recently struck a blow in favor of manufacturers and distributors in upholding a waiver even though part of the statute expressly referenced restrictions on certain waivers.
Features
Franchisors Must Prepare for Pending Introduction of New Top-Level Domains
In only a few short months, franchisors must choose whether to register a top-level domain (TLD) that corresponds with the franchisor's trademark or company name. Similar to current TLDs .com, .net, and .org, new TLDs like .hilton, .coke, or .merrilllynch will be available. A franchisor's choice must balance potentially significant commercial, advertising, and security opportunities with substantial financial and technological investment.
Peer-to-Peer May Share Some Nightmares
Unknown to corporate America, the popular peer-to-peer file-sharing networks that allow music and movies to be shared could be sharing something else with the public: company secrets and personal data.
Features
Search Engine Optimization Raises Bar for Law Firm Web Sites
Search engines compete with each other on their ability to guide users to relevant content. The search engines, therefore, reward those Web pages that provide useful content to their consumers with high rankings. To understand how to get the most out of search engine optimization, it is important to learn how search engines catalogue and evaluate trillions of Web pages to determine which one is most relevant to a given search query.
Features
The Trouble with Anonymous Bloggers
cyberspace enables anyone willing to spring for a domain name and pay an Internet service provider $15 a month to become a "publisher." And even better for these latter-day Horace Greeleys, they can corral a limitless number of "reporters" without paying one red cent. Small wonder that blogging has become a force of mainstream media. Indeed, blog owners basically need only to grant anonymity to those who post to their Web sites.
Google: Done Paying Valley's Legal Bills
For most of the decade, Silicon Valley technology startups have assumed that Google would pay their legal bills. Not literally, mind you, but rather by taking on the big, high-profile cases about fair use, interoperability and other digital intellectual property issues that would set precedents upon which all disruptive innovators could rely. Well, Google just put the Valley on notice that the free ride is over, which means more legal burdens for smaller technology companies that previously depended on Google clearing a path for them.
Features
Whose Space? Discoverability of Social Networking Web Sites
This article explores a social networking site user's right to privacy, an adversary's right to obtain information from that site, and the admissibility of the information.
Features
<b><i>Product Review:</b></i> Clio, Effective SaaS Practice Management For the Small Firm
As a partner in a small firm, I must divide my time between servicing current clients, finding new ones and running the operational side of my small business. In addition, I have three children, so it is essential for me to be able to work from home and office interchangeably. Another challenge is that my client base requires me to travel frequently, which makes it imperative for me to have access to my client data wherever I am, day or night.
Need Help?
- Prefer an IP authenticated environment? Request a transition or call 800-756-8993.
- Need other assistance? email Customer Service or call 1-877-256-2472.
MOST POPULAR STORIES
- New York's Latest Cybersecurity CommitmentOn Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.Read More ›
- INTERVIEWIn this exclusive interview with International Franchise Association (IFA) chairman Steve Siegel, Associate Editor Kevin Adler, asks about policy priorities for 2003, and other legislative and regulatory developments that affect the franchise industry.Read More ›
- Pension Plan Termination Premiums in BankruptcyIn a case of timely significance, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has recently ruled that pension plan termination premiums are not "claims" subject to being discharged under a Chapter 11 plan, but rather, must be paid in full upon emergence from bankruptcy.Read More ›
- The 'Friendly Fraud' ChargebackThe abuse of the chargeback option has resulted in a "friendly fraud" epidemic harming not only merchants, but the very consumers the programs were designed to help.Read More ›
- <b><i>Social Media Scene:</i></b> How Social Are Your Social Media Activities?The modifier "social" is supposed to separate social media from other forms of marketing and PR. But the tactic's social aspect is also the part that either prevents us from using it or from using it as the two-way communication tool it's supposed to be.Read More ›