I figured id throw out this feeler just incase anyone here happened to either A) be a lawyer, or B) knew of a good lawyer who is expereinced in business law. I am in the process of launching a company and I am looking around for a lawyer to get some paperwork drawn up, Business Registration (INC. LLC), Trademark, Copyright and such. I am working on an extremely tight budget So I am looking for all the help I can get.

I have looked all over the place for the sorta "do it yourself" type of things (online forms and prep companies) but I just don't trust either myself to do it right or a company that I can't visit on a whim to check up on it.

Anyways, if you have any input or suggestions please let me know

 

Haha, I read the first half of the title and was wonderinf what trouble you got into...

for not getting your car impounded or anything

 

You don't need a lawyer for getting the business going... I'm in the process of converting over to an LLC from a sole proprietorship (by "converting", I mean I haven't called the appropriate offices yet to start the process, keep getting tied up with other things). Trademarking your logo and such is quite easy... one form to fill out (printed out from online), one check to pay to the PTO office, and sit back and wait for it to be approved in a few months (though unless you plan on having a national/global presence, I don't see much point in trademarking your logo other than to be able to tell people you have a trademarked logo). And what did you intend to copyright?

 

Designs that are going to be mass produced and distributed.

 

http://www.directlegal.com/

 

Can you be more specific on "designs"? Are we talking works of art, mechanical/electrical drawings, etc.? One type should be copyrighted, the other patented.

 

dont tell him, he is gonna steal your ideas




jk

 

I've done the research on what should be patented and copyrighted. This is something that would be copyrighted. I do have another venture I am in the process of sketching out that will need to be patented. I just need to start getting good with technical writing so I can claim everything about my "product" in the patent with no loopholes.

 

Registering a business is pretty much the easiest thing you can do. I did it last week First, go to www.sba.gov. It's really helpful. Read the "small business planner," it's pretty useful.
Then apply for a federal tax ID number.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/articl...d=98350,00.html
What I did was call the support number. The people are surprisingly nice, helpful and will guide you through the whole thing. You get an instant EIN number and you get one mailed to you in about 2 days. It's crazy fast.
THEN, go to "establishing a business in Virginia" which is also quite helpful
http://www.dba.virginia.gov/frameset.asp?U...gBusiness%2Epdf
Fill out a form there and you're done! See? Simple

 

Congrats! As a fellow business owner, I can tell you that you should always keep a bottle of Tylonol in your desk drawer, the big one.

Welcome to the joys of 'being your own boss'.

Warren