How Much Does a Trademark Cost in 2026? USPTO Fees, Attorney Costs, and Renewals
A US trademark costs $350 per class in USPTO fees; with search, surcharges and an attorney, one class runs $350–$3,500, plus $325 per class in year five.
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Legal
Legal considerations for business finance and accounting compliance
North Carolina's $40,000 Contractor License Line: How to Job-Cost and Bid Around It
North Carolina requires a GC license once a project's final price, change orders included, hits $40,000 — cross it unlicensed and the contract is void.
The Termination Meeting Checklist: Final Pay, COBRA Notices, and Property Return
US termination checklist: meet your state's final-pay deadline, send COBRA notices within 44 days, get OWBPA releases right and collect property same day.
The Five Lease Clauses That Decide Your Rent for the Next Decade
Renewal caps, CPI escalators, holdover penalties, co-tenancy and exclusive-use terms set your real rent for a decade — negotiate them before you sign.
Liquidated Damages in Construction Contracts: Daily Rates, Caps, and Negotiation
Liquidated damages = daily rate × days late. Cap them at 5–10% of contract price, define excusable delays, and book them under ASC 606, not as expenses.
California's AB 692 Just Banned Most "Stay-or-Pay" Employment Contracts: What Small Employers Must Fix Now
California AB 692 voids stay-or-pay clauses signed on or after January 1, 2026 — audit your offer letters now or risk $5,000 per affected worker.
Selling Abroad? The FCPA Rules Every Small Exporter Should Know
The U.S. FCPA covers small exporters too: a foreign agent's bribe can be yours, grease payments rarely qualify, and clean books are your best defense.
Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act: What Hiring Businesses Must Put in Writing
Illinois FWPA: freelance deals of $500+ (aggregated over 120 days) need a written contract and payment within 30 days — or owe double damages plus fees.
The PACA Trust: How Produce Sellers Get Paid First When a Buyer Goes Bankrupt
Under 7 U.S.C. 499e(c), unpaid produce sellers are paid from a buyer's trust assets before other creditors — if terms stay ≤30 days and notice is timely.
Real Estate Wholesaling in 2026: Assignment Fees, State Disclosure Laws, and Bookkeeping for Deals That Never Close in Your Name
Wholesale assignment fees are IRS ordinary income on Schedule C plus 15.3% SE tax, and 2026 state disclosure laws can void deals missing written notice.
Showing Movies at Your Bar, Gym, or Waiting Room: What a License Costs
Playing a DVD or Netflix for customers is a public performance: fines run $750–$150,000 per film, while an MPLC umbrella license costs about $1,000 a year.
South Carolina's Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act Is Now Law: What H.3021 Changes for Your Business
South Carolina's H.3021 requires a legislative vote for agency rules costing $1M+ over five years and ends court deference to agencies.