What does "good standing" actually mean for your business?

If you formed an LLC or corporation, your state requires youto file annual reports and pay fees to stay active. If you don't, your business falls out of "good standing."

Why does this matter? Operating while not in good standingcan void your liability protection, prevent you from filing lawsuits, and create problems when you try to get a loan or sell the business.

Check your status right now at your Secretary of State'swebsite. Takes two minutes.

WANT A FULL 7-POINT BUSINESS CHECKUP CHECKLIST?

Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/

(see QR code in video)

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposesonly, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

This registered agent mistake could cost your business $10K+

Registered agent moves and doesn’t update address. Business misses a lawsuit notice.

Default judgment: $10,000.

Check your registered agent info NOW.

WANT A FULL 7-POINT BUSINESS CHECKUP CHECKLIST?

Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposesonly, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship.For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

You're busy. You don't have time for a full business audit this month. I get it.

Here's a 15-minute business health check you can do right now that will prevent many of the easily preventable legal disasters I see in small businesses.

⏱️ THE 3 STEPS (5 minutes each):

1. Check your state business entity status online

2. Calendar all renewal deadlines for the year

3. Verify your registered agent contact info

Fifteen minutes. Three tasks. Prevents disaster.

📋 WANT THE FULL CHECKUP?

Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book aconsultation at kingpatentlaw.com.

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

---

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

Your business entity might be in trouble, and you don't even know it. Here are 3 critical corporate housekeeping tasks you need to check right now.

THE 3 TASKS:

1. Verify your business is in good standing with the state

2. Confirm your registered agent information is current

3. Review your operating agreement or bylaws

These three tasks take less than an hour total, but theyprevent catastrophic problems down the road.

📋 DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST:Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book aconsultation at kingpatentlaw.com.

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

---

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposesonly, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

It's January, and your business needs a checkup. I'm breaking down the 7 critical things every business owner should review this month to prevent legal disasters before they start.🗂️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction: Why January?1:32 - Corporate Housekeeping (Points 1-3)5:30 - Contracts and Agreements (Points 4-5)8:39 - Compliance and Licensing (Points 6-7)11:10 - The 15-Minute Quick Check12:13 - When to Call a Lawyer12:56 - Conclusion and Resources📋 DOWNLOAD THE FREE CHECKLIST:Get the complete Beginning-of-Year Business Checkup Checklist at https://kingpatentlaw.com/business-checkup-checklist/✅ THE 7 POINTS COVERED:1. Verify your business entity is in good standing2. Confirm your registered agent information is current3. Review and update your operating agreement or bylaws4. Audit your active contracts5. Review employee and contractor documentation6. Verify business licenses and permits are current7. Review your business insurance coverageReady to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.---ABOUT KING PATENT LAW:I help entrepreneurs across the U.S. make smart, legally sound decisions about their intellectual property and business structure. I'm an attorney in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, serving clients nationwide.🎙️ PODCAST: "Spellbinding IP: Patent, Trademark, and Business Strategy" on all major podcast platforms📱 SOCIAL: @kingpatentlaw🌐 WEBSITE: kingpatentlaw.com---Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

In this episode, patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers how to use BOTH design patent protection and trade dress trademark protection to protect your product design initially and indefinitely.

Learn which to use first and why that is.

Full transcript and more resources at ⁠⁠kingpatentlaw.com/blog⁠

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com⁠.

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney

In this episode, patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers the differences between design patents and trade dress trademarks, and how the design being functional and not just ornamental can be a HUGE problem for getting either kind of protection.

Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

________________________________________

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.

In this episode (#150!), patent and trademark lawyer Julie King covers how trade dress trademarks can protect your product design indefinitely.

Learn the two strict hurdles to getting this protection: non-functionality and "secondary meaning."

Full transcript and more resources at kingpatentlaw.com/blog

Ready to protect your brand and business? Book a consultation at kingpatentlaw.com.

Avoid the legal horrors, and keep rocking your IP.

________________________________________

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, is not legal advice, and does not form an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.