Aaron J. Stewart Legal Guide

As part of our emerging Initial Consultation™ Series, we offer the "Initial Consultation for Entrepreneurs" free to view on our website. The guide is intended to bring you up to speed on the legal basics for starting your business and protecting your ideas. As a consolidated and user-friendly resource, this legal guide is intended to save you time and money in going forward. This guide is FREE to view on the website, and you may download a copy for a fee.

This guide covers a variety of topics, including:

How to start a business, including how to form a corporation and how to form an LLC
How different businesses are taxed, including basic tax differences between an S Corporation and an LLC
What questions you need to ask to chose the right business entity for you
What ideas can be protected
How you can protect your ideas and intellectual property
The differences among Trademark, Copyright, Patent, and Trade Secrets, and what each means for your idea
What questions you need to ask to chose the right form of IP protection
Things to consider when interviewing or hiring employees
Questions to ask when deciding how to finance your business, and the different ways of financing your business
Questions to ask when deciding what insurance your business needs
Basics on how Business Law and Intellectual Property Law intersects with starting an Internet business

We look forward to bringing you more Initial Consultation™ guides in a variety of topics.

PLEASE READ THE TERMS OF USE CAREFULLY. YOUR PURCHASE, ACCESS, READING, AND/OR OTHERWISE USE OF "START-UP LEGAL GUIDE: A LEGAL GUIDE FOR THE BEGINNING ENTREPRENEUR AND THE EMERGING BUSINESS OWNER" CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS OF USE. DO NOT PURCHASE, ACCESS, READ, OR OTHERWISE USE THE LEGAL GUIDE IF YOU ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF USE.

I. DEFINITIONS

The term "Legal Guide" refers to "Start-Up Legal Guide: A Legal Guide for the Beginning Entrepreneur and the Emerging Business Owner," copyright © 2010 by Aaron J. Stewart, Esq. A "user" is someone who purchases, reads, accesses, or in any way uses the Legal Guide. The terms "you" and "your" refer to you, as a user of the Legal Guide. The terms "we," "us," "our," or "The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart" refer to Aaron J. Stewart, personally, and The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart. The term "Site" refers to the website for the Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart at www.chicolawfirm.com.

II. BINDING EFFECT. This is a binding agreement. By clicking "I Agree" at the time of purchasing the Legal Guide, or by accessing, reading, or otherwise using the Legal Guide, you agree to abide by these Terms of Use, as they may be amended by The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart from time to time in its sole discretion. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart will post a notice on the Site any time these Terms of Use have been changed or otherwise updated. It is your responsibility to review these Terms of Use periodically, and if at any time you find these Terms of Use unacceptable, you must immediately notify The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart pursuant to Section IV, 6, below. YOU AGREE THAT BY CLICKING "I AGREE," PURCHASING THE LEGAL GUIDE, READING, ACCESSING OR OTHERWISE USING THE LEGAL GUIDE, YOU REPRESENT THAT YOU ARE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND THAT YOU ARE LEGALLY ABLE TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT YOU DO HEREBY ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

III. NO LEGAL ADVICE OR ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

THE LEGAL GUIDE CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT IS MERELY GENERAL AND EDUCATIONAL ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES SURROUNDING BUSINESS ENTITY FORMATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, AND ONGOING BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. THE LEGAL GUIDE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NONE OF THE CONTENT, MATERIAL, OR INFORMATION IN THE LEGAL GUIDE CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE. NEITHER YOUR PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE USE OF THE LEGAL GUIDE CREATES AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP, NOR IS AN INVITATION FOR AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED THEREIN AS LEGAL ADVICE FOR ANY PURPOSE, AND SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK THE LEGAL ADVICE OF COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL IN YOUR JURISDICTION PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISIONS OR UNDERTAKING ANY ACTIONS WHATSOEVER.

IV. PRIVACY POLICY. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart respects your privacy and permits you to control the treatment of your personal information. A complete statement of The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart's current privacy policy can be found on the Site. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart's privacy policy is expressly incorporated into this Agreement by this reference, and is reproduced in its entirety as follows:

1. INTRODUCTION. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart ("us, ""we," or "Company") is committed to respecting the privacy rights of its customers, visitors, and other users of the website ("the Site") at www.chicolawfirm.com and the services provided through the Site (the "Services"). We created this Website Privacy Policy ("Privacy Policy") to give you confidence as you visit and use the Site, and to demonstrate our commitment to fair information practices and the protection of privacy. This Privacy Policy is only applicable to the Site, and not to any other websites that you may be able to access from the Site, each of which may have data collection, storage, and use practices and policies that differ materially from this Privacy Policy.

BY USING THE SITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SITE.

2. TYPES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED

(2.1) TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTED. We may track and collect the following categories of information when you visit our Site: (1) IP addresses; (2) domain servers; (3) types of computers accessing the Site; and (4) types of web browsers used to access the Site (collectively "Traffic Data"). Traffic Data is anonymous information that does not personally identify you but is helpful for marketing purposes or for improving your experience on the Site.

(2.2) PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED WHEN PURCHASING LEGAL GUIDE. In order for you to purchase the Legal Guide product that we offer via the Site, we require you to provide us with certain information that personally identifies you ("Personal Information"). Personal Information includes the following categories of information: (1) Contact Data (such as your name and e-mail address); (2) your Pay Pal transaction Identification; and (3) the date of the transaction. If you communicate with us by e-mail or otherwise complete online forms, any information provided in such communication may be collected as Personal Information.

We use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the collection of Personal Information is limited (1) to effectuating the purchase and sale of the Legal Guide, and/or (2) communicating with you regarding your legal issue(s) and the potential for legal representation. We will not use your information in a manner different than the purpose for which it is collected, without obtaining your consent prior to such use.

(2.3) CONTACTING THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART. If you contact us to provide feedback, register a complaint, or ask a question, we will record any Personal Information and other content that you provide in your communication so that we can effectively respond to your communication.

(2.4) ENFORCEMENT. We may use the information we collect in connection with your use of the Site or Services in order to investigate, enforce, and apply our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

3. USES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED

(3.1) COMPANY USE OF INFORMATION. We use Personal Information for the limited purposes enumerated in Section 2.2, above.

(3.2) USER CHOICE REGARDING COLLECTION, USE, AND DISTRIBUTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. You may choose not to provide us with any Personal Information. In such an event, you can still access and use much of the Site; however you will not be able to purchase the Legal Guide as that purchase transaction requires said Personal Information.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY AND SECURITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. We will keep your Personal Information private and will not share it with third parties, unless such disclosure is necessary to: (a) comply with a court order or other legal process; (b) protect our rights or property; or (c) enforce our Terms of Use. Your Personal Information is stored on secure servers that are not accessible by third parties.

Although we take appropriate measures to safeguard against unauthorized disclosures of information, we cannot assure you that your Personal Information will never be disclosed in a manner that is inconsistent with this Privacy Policy. YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH INADVERTENT DISCLOSURES OR ANY INTERCEPTED INFORMATION SENT VIA THE INTERNET, AND YOU HEREBY RELEASE US FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE USE OF INTERCEPTED INFORMATION IN ANY UNAUTHORIZED MANNER.

5. PUBLIC INFORMATION. The Site contains links to other websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites. We may make chat rooms, forums, message boards, and news groups available to you. Please understand that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public information. We have no control over its use and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose your Personal Information.

6. METHOD OF CONTACT. If you have a question or concern regarding this Privacy Policy, believe that this Privacy Policy has been violated, you may e-mail The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart at info@chicolawfirm.com or write to The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart at the following address:

Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart
P.O. Box 1098
Chico, CA 95927

In your correspondence, please describe your question, concern, or complaint in as much detail as possible. We will investigate and respond to you promptly.

7. LINKS. The Site may contain links to third party websites with which we have no affiliation. We do not share your Personal Information with those third parties, and are not responsible for their privacy practices. We suggest you read the privacy policies on all such third party websites.

8. UPDATES AND CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY. We reserve the right, at any time and without notice, to add to, change, update, or modify this Privacy Policy, simply by posting such change, update, or modification on the Site and without any other notice to you. Any such change, update, or modification will be effective immediately upon posting on the Site.

V. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP. The Legal Guide is copyrighted © 2010 by Aaron J. Stewart, Esq. and is the exclusive property of the Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart. The Legal Guide is protected by all applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. You hereby agree not to infringe any of the owner's intellectual property rights, including, but not limited to, agreeing not to reproduce the Legal Guide or otherwise transmit the Legal Guide to any third parties.

You also agreement not to use or infringe the trademark, logo, or other proprietary information of The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart without prior express written consent.

Nothing contained on the Legal Guide should be understood as granting you a license to use any of the trademarks, service marks, logos, or any other items of intellectual property owned by The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart or by any third party.

VI. NO WARRANTIES: GENERALLY.

THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES. THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART IS MAKING THE LEGAL GUIDE AVAILABLE "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. YOU ASSUME THE RISK OF ANY AND ALL DAMAGE OR LOSS FROM USING THE LEGAL GUIDE TO MAKE ANY DECISIONS OR UNDERTAKE ANY ACTIONS WHATSOEVER. BEFORE MAKING SUCH DECISIONS OR UNDERTAKING SUCH ACTIONS, YOU MUST FIRST OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE FROM A COMPETENT ATTORNEY IN YOUR JURISDICTION. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE LEGAL GUIDE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NONINFRINGEMENT. THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE LEGAL GUIDE WILL OR SHOULD MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

VII. NO WARRANTIES: ACCURACY OF INFORMATION.

THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES OR LIABILITY REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE LEGAL GUIDE. THE LEGAL GUIDE CONTAINS GENERAL INFORMATION THAT IS NOT SPECIFIC TO ANY PARTICULAR JURISDICTION. AS SUCH, THE INFORMATION IN THE LEGAL GUIDE CANNOT BE APPLIED TO YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS YOU MUST BE FULLY ADVISED BY A COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE PARTICULAR TO YOUR JURISDICTION AND PARTICULAR TO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HEREBY ADVISE YOU THAT THE LAW RELEVANT TO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY, AND OFTEN WILL, CHANGE. THE LEGAL GUIDE IS A STATIC DOCUMENT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE WITH THE CREATION AND PROMULGATION OF NEW LAWS AND REGULATIONS. YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE LEGAL GUIDE MAY, FROM TIME TO TIME, CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT HAS BECOME INCORRECT OR OBSOLETE. WE HEREBY ADVISE YOU AND YOU HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT USE THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS LEGAL GUIDE AS YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES WILL, BY NECESSITY, REQUIRE THE ADVICE OF A COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL IN YOUR JURISDICTION.

VIII. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY.

THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART'S LIABILITY TO YOU IS LIMITED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LAW OFFICES OF AARON J. STEWART BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS, OR LOST DATA, REGARDLESS OF THE FORESEEABILITY OF THOSE DAMAGES) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE USE OF THE LEGAL GUIDE. THIS LIMITATION SHALL APPLY REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE DAMAGES ARISE OUT OF BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY OR FORM OF ACTION.

IX. GOVERNING LAW. These Terms of Use shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the United States and the State of California, without reference to their rules regarding conflicts of law. You hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts in Butte County, California, USA in all disputes arising out of or related to the use of the Site.

X. SEVERABILITY; WAIVER. If, for whatever reason, a court of competent jurisdiction finds any term or condition in these Terms of Use to be unenforceable, all other terms and conditions will remain unaffected and in full force and effect. No waiver of any breach of any provision of these Terms of Use shall constitute a waiver of any prior, concurrent, or subsequent breach of the same or any other provisions hereof, and no waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.

XI. MODIFICATIONS. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart may, in its sole discretion and without prior notice, (a) revise these Terms of Use; (b) modify the Legal Guide; and (c) discontinue sale of the Legal Guide at any time. The Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart shall post any revision to these Terms of Use to the Site, and the revision shall be effective immediately on such posting. You agree to review these Terms of Use and other online policies posted on the Site periodically to be aware of any revisions. You agree that, by continuing to read, access, or otherwise use the Legal Guide following notice of any revision, you shall abide by any such revision.

XII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.

BY PURCHASING, READING, ACCESSING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE LEGAL GUIDE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS OF USE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM.

Purchase Legal Guide I Accept These Terms