Posts tagged business law
Contract Termination – Planning for the End in Advance

When the Beatles broke up in 1970, their shared business interests didn't end. And there were years of litigation defining how that would work.

Whether you're forming a band, entering a commercial lease, or starting a business, ending the relationship doesn't necessarily end the legal obligations. Income, bills, intellectual property rights, and other rights and responsibilities can continue long after business partners go their separate ways.

A well-drafted contract shouldn't just address how a relationship begins. It also should address what happens when it ends. There are standard contracts, but there aren't standard business relationships. Customized business planning while everyone is getting along can prevent expensive disputes later.

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Business Law, Music BusinessElizabeth Whitmancontracts, contract termination, music law, business law
Why A “Binding” Contract Doesn’t Really Bind the Parties

Many people think that a binding contract guarantees results, that both parties are obligated to perform the contract as written. But a contract isn't a guarantee, and contract damages are designed to compensate the non-breaching party, rather than to punish a breaching part for bad behavior. When negotiating a contract, rather than expecting that the other party will perform as agreed, each party should focus on the parties' goals and incentives to perform.

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Business LawElizabeth Whitmanbusiness law, contracts, binding contract
Preparing Your Business for the New Year—Do You Have Extra Tubas?

After stealing more than 30 tubas and sousaphones from schools during winter break, the thieves didn't hold onto the instruments for long. They found demand for used tubas among banda performers. However, business owners may find it more difficult to unload their heavy baggage as they move into the new year.

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Business Law, cybersecurityElizabeth WhitmanElizabeth Whitman, Elizabeth A Whitman, Whitman Legal Solutions, tuba, strategic planning, business law, mission statement, document retention, document retention policy, vision statement, general counsel, outside general counsel.
Looking Under the Fingerboard and Maintaining Your Business

Violins need regular maintenance. Violinists usually change their own strings and clean and polish their instruments, as well as make minor bridge adjustments. Most will not attempt a bow rehair, “cutting” a new bridge, or even a sound post adjustment, much less anything involving the varnish or structure of the violin. Businesses, like violins, also need regular maintenance. What needs to be done may well depend upon the type of business and how many owners and employees it has.

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Bach to BusinessElizabeth WhitmanElizabeth Whitman, Elizabeth A. Whitman, Whitman Legal Solutions, Bach to Business, violin, fingerboard, business entity, entity maintenance, business maintenance, business law, sustainable business, minute books, corporate law
Hidden in Orchestra Pits and Behind Corporate Veils

Playing in a pit orchestra is very different from performing in an orchestra on stage. For the uninitiated, an orchestra pit is located in between the front row of chairs and the stage. Typically, the orchestra pit floor is at least 4-5 feet lower than the floor of the seating area, usually sunk low enough that only the top of the conductor’s head is visible to those on the stage.  Frequently, the pit will be even lower so that it is entered from and extends below the stage so the winds and percussion typically will be sitting under the stage

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Bach to BusinessElizabeth Whitmanbusiness law, corporate law, corporate veil, debose heyward, elizabeth a. whitman, elizabeth whitman, fraudulent conveyance, george gershwin, gershwin, piercing the corporate veil, pit orchestra, porgy and bess, opera, bach to business