Category: Corporate & Business law
Sunday Liquor Sales in Minnesota
April 3, 2017 | Scott M. LepakAs a Wisconsin to Minnesota transplant over 30 years ago, I am periodically reminded of how unique Wisconsin and its citizens really are when viewed from outside its borders. One of my law partners recently told me her Scottish husband was in Louisiana, and a local there, on hearing his accent, asked if he was from Wisconsin. Yesterday my mom and dad were eating lunch in the grocery store deli area in Wausau Wisconsin when a group of school kids arrived with their teachers. Obviously a field trip, the teachers ushered the kids toward the fruit section to explain the different fruits and vegetables. In the course of the discussion it was apparent that the kids were drifting off to look at the fresh donut section. After lunch, my mom went back to the car and was waiting for my dad to finish up shopping. She saw him laughing to himself when he was walking across the parking lot. When he got back to the car, she asked him what was so funny. He said the kids were now heading toward the cold beer display and wondered if the liquor store was part of the tour. My parents decided that the kids must go grocery shopping with their dad. Minnesota may never quite…
Read MoreBGS Attorney Isakson Presents Seminar for Trade Creditors
March 3, 2017 | Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd.On February 16, 2017, BGS Attorney Carole Clark Isakson spoke to collection professionals at a program sponsored for various industry members by Forius NACM North Central. Forius is a proud affiliate of the National Association of Credit Management, and is dedicated to serving the needs of commercial credit professionals. When asked about Carole’s presentations for Forius, President and COO Toni Nuernberg said, “Carole always brings a wealth of information to our members. After her most recent presentation, I asked members for feedback. They said Carole provides relevant information that is easy to understand and somehow manages to make what could be a “boring topic” come to life. Our members love her!” It was not a long seminar but Carole managed to cover all of the questions submitted prior, and to provide helpful and practical direction to the participants on handling bankruptcy cases. What to do, when, why and how were covered with humor, and rapidly! Audience members shared stories of involvement in cases, and Carole’s commentary offered additional insight into the good, the bad, and the ugly of the bankruptcy process. When thanked by participants for her great presentation, Carole let them all know how much she enjoys the interactive seminars she does with Forius. Being a creditor in a bankruptcy case can…
Read More“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…
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