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Don't let business laws leave you confused. eHow's legal experts clarify everything from buying and selling businesses, to franchising and business planning. Learn the difference between partnerships, corporations and limited liability, as well as the laws guiding these topics. Interested in patenting a great idea? eHow's experts explain patent laws with step-by-step instructions on how to patent your great ideas. Are you a small business owner? Learn more about partnerships and sole proprietorships along with taxes, insurance and labor laws.

Categories in Business Law

Articles in Business Law

How to Respect Everyone in the Jury Rooms in NYC and Other Boroughs

By Lindaperry

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Serving on a Jury in any of the boroughs of New York, is a little different than serving on juries elsewhere. First, just because of the size of the city, you have to do things differently. NYC is not always the friendliest city but you will ... more »

How to Respond if Your Franchise Collapses

By eHow Business Editor

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As a franchisee, there is always the chance that your franchise could collapse due to bankruptcy. If this happens, though, your business doesn't have to collapse too. By taking the appropriate steps and making sure that you understand your legal ... more »

How to Respond to a Demand Letter

By eHow Legal Editor

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You receive a demand letter when someone to whom you owe money wants to collect that money and plans to take further action against you if you don't pay that money soon. You want to respond to a demand letter to give yourself the best-possible ... more »

How to Settle a Business Dispute

By Giuseppe Leone

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Got a nasty business dispute with one of your partners, vendors or customers? You have four options to resolve it... more »

How to Settle a Family Business Dispute

By Giuseppe Leone

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The real challenge for a family business is not how to avoid conflict - since that is almost impossible - but how to deal with it, and how to resolve it constructively... more »

How to Stage a Corporate Coup

By eHow Legal Editor

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Under performing stock, bad management and a tarnished reputation can all lead major stockholders in a corporation to revolt, replacing key individuals with so-called "new blood" in the hope that the company can recover. This has become known as ... more »

How to Stay Compliant with the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005

By Paul M. J. Suchecki

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You can blame me in part. Back when fax machines, were still new, I was Director of Marketing for a video equipment company. One of the salesmen hand wrote a few sheets of specials that he would send to his top customers. I quickly realized that ... more »

How to Structure a Written Contract

By eHow Legal Editor

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It's very common to enter into a binding contract with another person. You do so every time to buy a car, lease an apartment or buy something on credit. A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more individuals to enforce an ... more »

How to Take Legal Action Against a Lender

By eHow Legal Editor

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Lax lending policies lead to a number of problems, including more people defaulting on questionable loans. These lenders become the target for lawsuits if it's provable that they engaged in any type of neglect or misconduct. If you plan to take ... more »

How to Track New Unionism

By eHow Legal Editor

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New Unionism is the modern reinterpretation of labor socialism in certain parts of the English speaking world. New Unionism's proponents try to find labor-minded solutions for the economic problems of today's corporate world. The relevance and ... more »

How to Understand Disclosure Laws When Selling a Franchise

By eHow Business Editor

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The average length of a franchise contract is 10 years. During this period, a franchisee may decide to sell the franchise, so it's important to know your legal rights and contractual obligations before you enter the agreement. By understanding ... more »

How to Understand SEC Noncompliance Penalties

By eHow Legal Editor

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is dedicated to protecting investors and ensuring that the sales and trade of U.S.-based stocks and securities are carried out as mandated by U.S. law. The SEC regulates the securities market with ... more »

How to Understand the Advantages of a Limited Liability Company

By eHow Legal Editor

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The main advantages of a limited liability company—as opposed to a sole proprietorship or partnership—are those implied in the title itself: In case of litigation and ensuing debt, the pursuer can only go after company assets, not the owner's ... more »

How to Understand the Effects of Securities Law on Your Public Limited Liability Company

By eHow Legal Editor

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When the bottom fell out of the stock market in 1929, the lack of securities laws was partly to blame. Since that time, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was created to protect investors and to generally keep the market above board. To ... more »

How to Understand the Penalties for Selling an Unregistered Franchise

By eHow Business Editor

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In addition to the franchise laws set in place by the Federal Trade Commission, which require franchisors to submit a Uniform Franchise Offering Circular to each potential buyer, many states have their own regulations that must be followed. In ... more »

How to understand what a tenant is

By capeside

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what different types of tenants are.. more »

How to Use a DBA (Doing Business As)

By eHow Legal Editor

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A person or business would use a DBA, or "doing business as" name for a number of reasons. A business or individual could also use a number of separate DBAs. Here is how to set up each DBA in a proper manner so that it will be legal... more »

How to Use a Prepaid Legal Service to Collect a Debt

By eHow Legal Editor

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A prepaid legal service will offer a wide range of services for a reduced rate. For these services, you are charged a monthly fee with some services included in the price. If you need help to collect a debt, consider joining a prepaid legal ... more »

How to use Templates to Write a Contract

By eHow Legal Editor

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People use contracts in many things from buying a cell phone plan to renting a car. When you use templates to write a contract, you will save a lot of time it takes to recreate a document repeatedly. When you use templates to write a contract, ... more »

How to Weigh Reasons to Form an LLC

By eHow Legal Editor

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Forming an LLC, or limited liability company, means you aren't personally liable for the debts of your company. By filing articles of organization with your secretary of state's office and paying the necessary fees, you ensure that your company ... more »

How to Weigh the Pros and Cons of a DBA

By eHow Legal Editor

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There are several considerations to evaluate before filing a Doing Business As (DBA). Filing a DBA is convenient. It'll save time and filing fees if you're looking to branch out or market products or services under a suitable name. Many ... more »

How to Write a Barter Agreement

By eHow Legal Editor

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While a handshake can seal most deals you make with reputable business people, it never hurts to put an agreement's terms in writing. Drafting a simple barter agreement holds up as a binding document in many states. Check with your attorney ... more »

How to Write a Letter of Intent

By eHow Legal Editor

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Typically, you write a Letter of Intent as an initial proposal to a second party. Many times you write these letters for business purposes, exchange of services, school admissions, grants or future agreements. A Letter of Intent is also referred ... more »

How to Write a Service Contract

By eHow Legal Editor

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Whether you are hiring someone to work in your home or you are providing or buying services from another business, you need to have a service contract. Many companies have pre-made contracts in which they can just fill in the specific ... more »