typewriter with a page displaying words

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law, Resources

Copyright law exists to encourage the creation of works by providing individuals with exclusive rights to their works of authorship. It affects your ability to use someone else’s work, including software code, paintings, photographs, music, or writings, without seeking explicit permission from them. Doing so would be tantamount to copyright infringement, resulting in the copyright owner or federal prosecutors pursuing …

man in a hoodie using a laptop

Is Corporate Espionage Illegal?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law, Criminal Law, International Law

One of the earliest reported cases of industrial espionage dates back to 1712 in Jingdezhen, China. A French priest, François Xavier d’Entrecolles, learned about the Chinese methods of manufacturing porcelain and took this discovery back to Europe. Fast-forward to the 20th century, and economic espionage cases between the East and the West dominated the world stage. Industrial espionage by the …

Memo sign PPP Loan Paycheck Protection Program on the black piece of paper

Get Paid for Reporting PPP Loan Fraud

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Business Law, Criminal Law, Tax Law

In July 2021, 22 people were arraigned in court on charges of engaging in fraudulent schemes to acquire more than $11 million in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The individuals used the loan proceeds to purchase jewelry, luxury vehicles, and other personal items. According to court documents, the defendants submitted or aided in submitting loan applications on behalf …

doctor with a stethoscope on shoulder holding syringe and COVID-19 vaccine

Can Your Employer Require a COVID Vaccine?

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Business Law, Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Employment Law, Regulatory Law

The coronavirus pandemic has had an undeniable impact on almost every facet of life, both in the country and around the globe. The good news is – things are changing for the better, with the COVID-19 vaccine promising to restore some semblance of normalcy in everyday life. As great as that prospect may be, many people are still skeptical about …

Winter storm causes millions of Texas residents to go without gas or electricity

What Is ERCOT – The Texas Power Grid Explained

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Business Law, Regulatory Law

ERCOT has come under fire in recent months for the mass power outage experienced in several parts of Texas earlier in the year. According to the grid operator, this widespread outage was attributed to a surge in demand for electricity that resulted from the extreme weather conditions witnessed in the weeks leading up to the blackouts. What is ERCOT, and …

Can Gun Manufacturers Be Sued

Can Gun Manufacturers Be Sued?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law, Consumer Law, Mass Torts, Personal Injury Law

Nearly every sector of the American economy could potentially face civil and product liability lawsuits if they’re found culpable. This has been used as a way to keep irresponsible manufacturers and rogue retailers in check. As with all things, however, there is an exception to that all-important rule, and that’s the gun industry. In 2005, Congress enacted the Protection of …

Builder working on top

How Long Is a Builder Liable for His Work?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law, Personal Injury Law

You’ve recently moved into your new home. Your local municipality, city, or town had a building inspector check that everything was built to code before issuing a certificate of occupancy. As far as you were concerned, that meant your new home was safe for occupation at the very minimum. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case. An inspection certificate …

Drilling Rig Accident

Who Is Liable In a Drilling Rig Accident?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law

If you make your living working on an offshore oil rig, you know it ranks among one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The constant exposure to highly combustible materials, alongside the proximity of heavy equipment and slippery decks, means that the risk of serious and often life-threatening accidents is significantly higher compared to other occupations. One of …