There are different standards in the United States regarding what is patentable and not compared to foreign jurisdictions, notably in the Japanese and European Patent offices. The decision to pursue foreign protection is not just about what markets you are interested in but also about the viability of getting protection in those markets. In the […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
Less Than Half of Americans Have a Will
I ran across an article by Gallup that found that less than half of Americans (46%) have a Will. To be honest, I figured it would be lower than that. So many people want to avoid the topic of death that I think it prevents a lot of people from even contemplating executing a Will. […]
Inappropriate Harassment in the Workplace | A Primer for Florida Employers
Running a business is tough these days … for many reasons. Business owners and senior managers don’t need internal strife among their employees. Any business with employees must be ever conscious of this fact and have a definitive program to: Prohibit inappropriate harassment of employees. Minimize claims and legal actions against the company for such […]
Understanding Eminent Domain
An eminent domain case usually starts before the case is filed in the courts. The state agency or the private company that has given the power of Eminent Domain through the Florida Statutes will usually contact the landowner and try to negotiate a purchase price for the property well in advance of the government or […]
Why Hire a Licensed Immigration Lawyer | Part I
Foreign nationals, both non-immigrants and immigrants, in Florida and around the country face many hurdles in applying for immigration benefits in the U.S. The first important decision many foreign nationals must decide upon is whether to: Self-file immigration paperwork To hire a licensed immigration lawyer To hire a nonlawyer (unlicensed representative) However, foreign nationals should […]
Design Patents: All You Need to Know
What Is a Design Patent? A design patent covers only the ornamental design of an object of manufacture. This means essentially that the design patent protects the appearance of a product. And to be eligible for a design patent, the object’s appearance must be novel and non-obvious. So, there must be something unique about the […]
COVID-19 and Contracting with the Feds – 8 Things Florida Businesses Need to Know
On hold for now. The requirements of federal contractors and subcontractors under Executive Order 14042 – Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors (“EO – 14042”) issued September 9, 2021 and updated December 13, 2021 and the Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors (“Guidance”) issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force […]
Immigration Alert: U.S. Covid-19 Travel Bans Lifted
On October 25, 2021, President Biden signed a new proclamation to advance the safe resumption of global travel to the United States in response to the worldwide easement of COVID-19 restrictions. In the proclamation, President Biden revoked the previous COVID-19 country-specific suspensions and limitations on entry into the U.S. enacted under the previous four presidential […]
“Save Small Business” Initiative and Grant Fund from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a private sector 501(c)(3) organization and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has launched the “Save Small Business Initiative.” This initiative is a nationwide program focusing on small businesses’ immediate needs, efforts to mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilizing support […]
Real Estate Market and COVID-19 Crisis: Impacts, Lessons and Plans
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has pushed the U.S., and the rest of the world, into an economic recession. All stakeholders in the real estate market – lenders, borrowers, landlords, and tenants – will suffer consequences, and many, severely. To help those who are affected understand and respond to the impacts, this article reviews the current […]