BW INSIGHTS

How to Raise Money for Your Business - Part 2: Micro-Loans

By BrownWinick | 09.19.2018

Getting a business started is like approaching a massive steel wheel. There are no axels, no motors, just you, an idea and the wheel. The wheel is stationary. Like Atlas, you shoulder the wheel and start to press with all your strength. The wheel budges a little. The more effort you put in, the more the wheel moves. The goal is to have the wheel... Read More

How to Raise Money for Your Business - Part 1: Grants & Programs

By BrownWinick | 08.20.2018

Quick’s Design & Construction is what I called my failed business. My 20-year-old self started a construction business with the goal of paying my rent while completing my engineering degree. I was young and energetic with 6 years of industry experience. What could go wrong? Three years later I was selling my tools, trailer, and other acquired... Read More

Protect Your Brand Like Ivanka Trump

By BrownWinick | 06.08.2018

Ivana “Ivanka” Trump is not only an American businesswoman. She also holds the titles of fashion designer, author, and reality television personality. And, based on recent activity at the trademark office, Ms. Trump is both smart and savvy when it comes to protecting her brand and actively registering trademarks. In fact, Ms. Trump has recently... Read More

Epic Systems v. Lewis: Arbitration Agreements and Employers' New, Protective Shield from Employee Lawsuits

By BrownWinick | 06.05.2018

Introduction A recent 5-4 Supreme Court decision marks a major victory for employers interested in a new tool for their arsenal to protect their businesses from potential class action litigation. The Ruling The case, Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, largely pitted the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) against the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”).... Read More

Amazon Brand Registry Program

By BrownWinick | 05.30.2018

If you sell on Amazon or want to sell on Amazon, you should take advantage of Amazon’s revised Brand Registry program. The Brand Registry program is a powerful tool to keep others from listing items on Amazon using your brand. The Amazon Brand Registry program is currently free for all Amazon sellers and provides another mechanism for protecting... Read More

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is Cracking Down on Employers: Expect I-9 Audits This Summer and Beyond

By BrownWinick | 05.24.2018

I-9 audits are on the rise. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – the agency charged with enforcing U.S. Immigration laws - reports that between October 1, 2017 and May 4, 2018, the agency initiated approximately 2,282 employer audits (an average of about 321 audits per month). Contrast that with the prior fiscal year figures (1,360... Read More

Legal Sports Betting Imminent After Supreme Court Decision

By Thomas Johnson | 05.18.2018

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn., issued May 14, 2018, has opened the doors for states to legalize and regulate sports betting. The decision declared the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) unconstitutional. PASPA itself did not ban sports betting. Rather, it prohibited states... Read More

General Overview of Iowa Tax Reform

By Christopher Nuss | 05.10.2018

Following in Congressional footsteps, the Iowa General Assembly recently passed historical tax reform, purporting to cut individual income tax in excess of $1.5 billion and corporate income tax of at least $100 million over five years. This reduction, however, is partially offset by an estimated increase in sales and use tax collection of $700... Read More

Go Ahead and Challenge That Patent....Anyone!

By BrownWinick | 05.03.2018

Post grant proceedings survive the gavel of the Supreme Court. On April 24, 2018, the Supreme Court issued two decisions upholding the validity of post grant proceedings (“PGPs”). A PGP is a trial proceeding conducted at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (“PTAB”) to review the patentability of one or more claims in a patent. PGPs allow a third... Read More

Beware of the Copyright Troll!!!

By David Breiner | 04.20.2018

For the last five years many people have received letters alleging they infringed another party’s copyrights. The story for these people is almost always the same. They found an image they liked on the internet, noticed it wasn’t marked with a copyright notice, assumed it was free to use, and copied the image. What they didn’t know is that almost... Read More