Five-minute general counsel: A little trademark search saves a lot of headache

By Rick Colosimo / February 6, 2017 / Comments Off on Five-minute general counsel: A little trademark search saves a lot of headache

This WSJ article describes some of the problems that small businesses have faced with names. The most significant one, from my perspective, is the trademark lawsuit that cause the cookie company to change its name after being featured on the “Rachael Ray Show.” What a waste of potential marketing value! Over the years, I’ve serviced…

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How do I set the strike price for option grants?

By Rick Colosimo / August 9, 2016 / Comments Off on How do I set the strike price for option grants?

When the board makes option grants, it has to set a strike price – the exercise price for each option. (NB: this applies equally to stock options for corporations and unit options for limited liability companies, so don’t get thrown off by the terminology.) How does the board do this? You look at the plan,…

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Another reason you need a board

By Rick Colosimo / April 12, 2016 / Comments Off on Another reason you need a board

The HBR recently shared the results of a study showing that an increase in the amount of flattery received by a CEO disproportionately increased the likelihood of the CEO being fired. “You look mahvelous” Flattering the CEO increases chance of getting [him] fired http://t.co/2odFtkwBW3 — rickcolosimo (@rickcolosimo) November 5, 2013 That link is dead: look…

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How do I create a board?

By Rick Colosimo / March 4, 2016 / Comments Off on How do I create a board?

You’ve read my post on the benefits of having a board in your closely held company, and you’re convinced. You’re ready to move forward but stuck at step 2. How do you go about putting a board together? For most companies, major investors push for governance rights and the structure of the board becomes an…

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