Works started entering the public domain again in 2019. Curious if something you want to use is covered by copyright or in the public domain? Click through to view a chart that helps you to decide where it falls.
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How to do a trademark search + avoid the scary lawyer letter
Doing a trademark search helps assure you’ve got a unique name that won’t infringe on anyone else’s trademark rights. Click through for step-by-step instructions on performing a trademark search AND download your free checklist to help you complete all the steps.
Does my LLC need a real business bank account?
Does your LLC need a “real” business bank account? Or can you just get away with a personal bank account where you only keep the LLC’s money? Watch this video to learn!
I have multiple projects. Can they go in the same LLC?
When is it a good (or bad) idea to have multiple projects, brands, or businesses in the same LLC? That’s what we are covering in this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. The short answer is that you can have them under the same LLC umbrella if you are okay with them impacting each other. Because […]
How can I find an attorney for my creative business?
Your creative business is growing and it’s time to bring on a legal expert to help you. So how do you go about finding an attorney for your creative business? That’s what we are covering in this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. The short answer is finding a lawyer is no different than finding any […]
Quick and dirty checklist to starting a creative business
Are you starting a creative business? Click through to download a checklist on what legal tasks are (and aren’t) important from Day 1.
How to quickly (and easily) write a business plan for your creative business
A business plan is critical for every creative business. Check out this post to grab a 1-page business plan template for your creative business, plus learn exactly how to quickly and easily fill it out.
How long do I have to wait to sell my work after I submit my copyright registration application?
Congrats! You submitted your copyright registration application to the U.S. Copyright Office. But…then you discover that it’s going to take 2-10 months for your certificate to arrive. Do you have to wait to sell your work until you have a certificate in hand? Learn how quickly you can start selling your work in this week’s […]
Do you need to find a way to add ease to the legalese?
Before law school, I was a wildlife biologist. And after nearly a decade of counting birds and rodents, I was ready for a change. But I wasn’t sure what that change was. At the time, I was showing my nature photography in galleries and I debated trying to go full time. But law school had […]
Do I need permission to add testimonials or feedback to my website?
You get a customer email with a glowing product review. Can you pop it on your sales page? Or do you need permission? Learn in this Ask Kiff episode.
Helping improve her community by creating virtual storefronts for local businesses
Elizabeth Hahn is the designer behind Cow and Rooster Design, a firm with a hyper-local focus and personal touch. In fact, she primarily serves small local businesses within two California counties. And she tries to meet each client at their place of business so she can get a feel for their businesses before diving in. […]
Can I trademark a t-shirt design?
So you come up with an awesome phrase that would be perfect for a mug, a t-shirt, a card, or a hat. Can you run down to the Trademark Office and file a trademark for that phrase? Before you try to trademark a t-shirt design, make sure you check out this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. […]
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
In my late 20s, I worked at an environmental consulting firm. When I first started I had a boss that believed that he was the only one that could look good. He took all the credit for good ideas and passed all the blame to us. Needless to say, it was a very unhappy team […]
Is LegalZoom good or bad?
LegalZoom is cheaper than a lawyer, but you’ve heard good and bad stories about it. When should you run far away? When might it be okay to use it? Before you use LegalZoom make sure you check out this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. Watch the video | Listen or download an audio-only version | […]
How can you foster connections between your clients/customers?
In the past few months, I’ve been a test knitter for two different patterns. Both patterns had mistakes and confusing sections. But as of last week, both projects are blocked and finished. One designer, I’d happily test knit for again. And the other I’d politely decline if she asked me. The big reason is that […]
Do I need a process to use customer photos? If so, how do I ask without scaring them off?
Your customer has just posted the perfect photo showing your product on her Instagram feed. Should you #regram it? Or ask permission first? If you want to use customer photos (or client photos) then you won’t want to miss this week’s episode of Ask Kiff. Watch the video | Listen or download an audio-only version […]
