Category: Corporate & Business law
“Just pull it off the internet!” Said no good lawyer…ever
January 10, 2017 | Carole Clark IsaksonNeed a graphic of fireworks for a party invite? Looking for a cartoon for a blog? It’s tempting to just use your favorite search engine and copy one of the internet… but please DON’T (at least not until after you read this article!). Copyright law is alive and well – and applies to items on the internet to the same extent that it applies to the books at the library. We all know that copying someone else’s work is illegal; that work includes art, photos, books, movies, songs and more. Recent law suits have highlighted the wrongful use of pieces of songs, with courts reiterating that any original work of authorship (so long as it is expressed in a tangible way) is protected. The internet IS a fixed medium, and works that are found on the internet are still subject to protection. That fireworks graphic? Well, it was created by someone and if you want to use it, you need to have permission. At this point I suspect some readers are thinking “wait! This is fair use. I won’t make any money on that party invitation so I can use the artwork”. Actually, not true… but don’t feel bad about being wrong, most people (including lawyers) are confused by the concept of “fair…
Read MoreWhy we all need an “IDIOT!” light
December 5, 2016 | Carole Clark IsaksonMy first car was a canary yellow 1964 Corvair coupe. I could tell stories about that car for hours! Learned a lot too – one my strongest memories is of my father’s description of a dash feature. “This,” he said nicely, “is commonly called the ‘idiot light’. If it goes on you need to pull over immediately, shut off the engine, go find a phone and call me!” That light is a warning that things are on the verge of going badly. IF you paid attention, he said, there was still time to save the day (and the engine block) by pulling over and calling for help. What (or who) is your “idiot” light? We all need one! For some of us, it’s a spouse or other family member with enough distance from a situation to see that things are headed in the wrong direction. Your accountant and financial advisor may play this role as well, warning you when an investment isn’t performing, the 529 is underfunded, or the 401k is weighted too heavily in one fund. As parents we try to be the ‘idiot light’ for our kids. As attorneys we are sometimes in this position as well, a role that we take very seriously. I have been counseling business owners for…
Read MoreBGS and the Canada-Minnesota Business Council
November 10, 2016 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.Barna Guzy & Steffen is a member of the Canada-Minnesota Business Council (CMBC), a Minnesota-based volunteer organization established in 1994 to support the commercial, economic, and cultural relationship between Minnesota and Canada. BGS attorney Carole Isakson recently attended an event hosted by the CMBC, featuring an intelligent and insightful presentation by global investment research firm TIS Group Inc. CMBC works closely with the office of the Consulate General of Canada in Minnesota, and at the event Ms. Isakson was pleased to meet and converse with Canadian Consul General Khawar Nasim. The Minneapolis office of the Consul General covers Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. According to the CMBC, trade between Minnesota and Canada now exceeds $20 billion dollars annually, with Canada representing Minnesota’s largest trading partner in the world. The CMBC’s ongoing mandate is support for education, policy advocacy, and business networking within the growing community of private and public stakeholders involved in this critical business partnership. BGS is proud to be a member of the CMBC, and looks forward to becoming more involved with this valuable organization.
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