California Business Legal Questions

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453 legal questions have been posted about business law by real users in California. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include business formation, business litigation, and business planning. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
California Business Questions & Legal Answers - Page 18
Do you have any California Business questions page 18 and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 453 previously answered California Business questions.

Recent Legal Answers

Retailer Targer is forcing me to buy accessories in order to purchases more than video game system for my business and to receive a tax exemption.

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
I just answered your similar question posted on lawyer.com and advised about existing distribution issues and potential antitrust issues.
I just answered your similar question posted on lawyer.com and advised about existing distribution issues and potential antitrust issues.

Telling another vendors prices/bids to get a better price

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You don't really ask a question. If the question is "can I", then yes.
You don't really ask a question. If the question is "can I", then yes.

Need to open a company in CA

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by Michael Charles Doland (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
1) Yes. No, an LLC is possible. (2) See the website for the Franchise Tax Board (California taxing authority) at www.ftb.ca.gov (3) one (4) Yes, subject to the tax provisions regarding accumulated earnings (5) The TIN is in the name of the company. I am in west Los Angeles. doland@dolandlaw.com... Read More
1) Yes. No, an LLC is possible. (2) See the website for the Franchise Tax Board (California taxing authority) at www.ftb.ca.gov (3) one (4) Yes,... Read More

When do my personal belongings have to be returned to me when terminated.

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Within a reasonable time. What is "reasonable" is likely a question of fact, including facts relating to the nature of the property and the difficulties imposed on the employer in marshalling them.
Within a reasonable time. What is "reasonable" is likely a question of fact, including facts relating to the nature of the property and the... Read More
Unfortunately, your subsequent remedial measures are not a defense to this claim. The case needs to be settled for a monetary payment, as virtually all of such cases are. You are strongly advised to consult with an attorney and to resolve this case promptly through counsel.
Unfortunately, your subsequent remedial measures are not a defense to this claim. The case needs to be settled for a monetary payment, as virtually... Read More
What you "should do" is nothing. Your inquiry does not suggest any manner in which you have been harmed.
What you "should do" is nothing. Your inquiry does not suggest any manner in which you have been harmed.

Whats the California Law on Data Retention?

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
There is no law that prohibits a California business from retaining email and digital media forever. May businesses have retention policies that are shorter than that. With certain limited exceptions, including where document retention is required for particular purposes, businesses determine such matters in their own discretion.... Read More
There is no law that prohibits a California business from retaining email and digital media forever. May businesses have retention policies that are... Read More
You will need to consult with an attorney who practices plaintiff's-side personal injury law. However, you will find this an extremely difficult claim to pursue because of the lack of permanent injury or loss of wages to the plaintiff. Good luck with it.
You will need to consult with an attorney who practices plaintiff's-side personal injury law. However, you will find this an extremely difficult... Read More

job offer rescinded after physical

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
It is not readily possible to answer your question from the limited facts provided. These kinds of situations occur fairly often and are heartbreaking. First, as a general matter, an employer is free to withdraw an offer of employment at any time, and, even if employment has commenced, may terminate the employment at any time. The only limitation on these employer actions based on the "at will" employment doctrine is thai the employer may not exercise its largely unfettered right to terminate in a discriminatory manner. Whether you were discriminated against in a fashion that the law recognizes is a question of fact. When a person has a disability and that person is capable of performing the job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation, the disability may not be used as the basis of an adverse job action. However, if the employee cannot perform the job functions even with a reasonable accommodation, the employer need not employ that person. Here, there is conflicting evidence regarding your ability to perform the job functions. While a VA physician "cleared" you (that is not a legal term of art -- presumably it means that you will not hurt yourself doing the job), he made no determination that you were able to perform the job in the manner required by the employer. Indeed, he could not know. The employer's physician determined that you were not able to perform the job in the manner apparently needed by the employer. So you have a huge set of questions of fact, which you have not shared in detail. Among other things, we have no idea what, if anything, about the job (that the employer requires) its physician found you unable to perform. You will wish to discuss these issues with an attorney who practices plaintiff's-side employment law. Providing a more detailed response, based on more detailed facts, is really beyond the scope of a general forum like this.  ... Read More
It is not readily possible to answer your question from the limited facts provided. These kinds of situations occur fairly often and are... Read More

Want to sue for false advertisement

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Go ahead and sue. You will need to be prepared to prove the amount of the economic harm you suffered solely as a result of going to a fish farm instead of a winery. Presumably you participated in the fish-farm tour without objection, so you will have an interesting lawsuit. Good luck.
Go ahead and sue. You will need to be prepared to prove the amount of the economic harm you suffered solely as a result of going to a fish farm... Read More

Partner placed hidden cameras in office without my knowledge. Options?

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Since your partner is not active in the business, the most obvious "option" is to remove the cameras after sweeping for them. You will then need to sit down and have a come-to-Jesus meeting with your fellow LLC member (not "partner") about his future role in the business, his unilateral actions, etc. You may wish to be represented by counsel.... Read More
Since your partner is not active in the business, the most obvious "option" is to remove the cameras after sweeping for them. You will then need to... Read More
There appear to be several key facts missing from your inquiry. It appears that you were attending beauty school with the aid of a student loan from a third party (not the beauty school itself). Apparently the lender (again, not the beauty school) refused to make further advances to you unless and until you cured some kind of prior default. Although you claim to have cured the default, it is not clear why further advances are being withheld and what, if anything, the school did that was wrong. Indeed, your inquiry does not articulate anything wrong that the school did. When you are enrolled in a school, the duty to pay tuition in the student's. If the student doesn't pay, or doesn't arrange for payment by a third party, the school has no duty to continue providing instruction.... Read More
There appear to be several key facts missing from your inquiry. It appears that you were attending beauty school with the aid of a student loan from... Read More
It is unlawful to use someone's name and likeness for trade or commercial purposes without their consent. It is likewise unlawful to use photographs taken by another without their consent. Facebook has a procedure by which you can protest these uses. If that fails, you can file a lawsuit. See an attorney.  ... Read More
It is unlawful to use someone's name and likeness for trade or commercial purposes without their consent. It is likewise unlawful to use photographs... Read More
You have no legal right to compel authorize.net to do business with you if they choose not to do so. They may deny service to you for any reason or no reason at all. Welcome to America.
You have no legal right to compel authorize.net to do business with you if they choose not to do so. They may deny service to you for any reason or... Read More
The substantially duplicate version of this question has been responded to. In order to obtain redress, it is likely that you will be required to retain counsel to sue in the locale where the supplier resides. It is extremely difficult to litigate a claim of this magnitude cost-effectively. Good luck.... Read More
The substantially duplicate version of this question has been responded to. In order to obtain redress, it is likely that you will be required to... Read More

Gas station is selling candy for higher than the price marked on the package.

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
As a general matter, in the absence of an express agreement with the manufacturer, a retailer may sell goods at retail for any price it wishes. Welcome to America.
As a general matter, in the absence of an express agreement with the manufacturer, a retailer may sell goods at retail for any price it wishes.... Read More
Product names are not copyrightable. They are, generally, the subject of trademarks. Your ability to use the trademark of another to name your business is limited. You should consult with an attorney regarding the possibility of infringement.
Product names are not copyrightable. They are, generally, the subject of trademarks. Your ability to use the trademark of another to name your... Read More
It is possible that you may have recourse, but it is not possible to evaluate your claims without a comprehensive review of the documents exchanged between you and the vendor. In particularly, it is necessary to ascertain whether there is an actual contract that was accepted by your vendor or rather an unaccepted order. In addition, the terms of the contract, including any overallotment terms, would need to be reviewed. If this is a meaningful issue for you in economic terms, you should consult with an attorney.... Read More
It is possible that you may have recourse, but it is not possible to evaluate your claims without a comprehensive review of the documents exchanged... Read More

Do I need to hire a lawyer to assist with the transaction if purchasing a small business?

Answered 13 years and 7 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
You are strongly encouraged to engage the services of an attorney. A broker cannot do many of the things that an attorney can, and cannot be counted upon to protect your interests in a legal sense.
You are strongly encouraged to engage the services of an attorney. A broker cannot do many of the things that an attorney can, and cannot be counted... Read More

Will I be responsibile for my deceased husband's credit card bills?

Answered 13 years and 8 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Almost certainly not. To the extent that your husband had any assets in his own name, those assets might be required to be applied to his debts.
Almost certainly not. To the extent that your husband had any assets in his own name, those assets might be required to be applied to his debts.

How can I file suit against the NCAA?

Answered 13 years and 8 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
Generally speaking, the NCAA owes you no duty as a placement agent. It is free to award scholarships to anyone it wishes, to the exclusion of anyone else. It is extremely unlikely that you could prevail in a lawsuit against them under circumstances where you have no contract or other direct relationship with NCAA. You may wish to consult with an attorney who practices civil litigation to see if there is any possibility of success on such a claim based on inequitable conduct by NCAA prior to the time it changed its rule.... Read More
Generally speaking, the NCAA owes you no duty as a placement agent. It is free to award scholarships to anyone it wishes, to the exclusion of anyone... Read More

How do I prove hostile work environment?

Answered 13 years and 8 months ago by attorney Hilary B. Miller   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Business
A "hostile work environment" means something other than what you think. Generally, it means that your employer discriminates against a particular protected group (religon, gender, national origin, etc.) and makes life difficult only for members of that group. The fact that your employer is mean, nasty, inconsiderate, requires you to work at a remote location, etc. is not evidence of hostility in a legal sense. If you don't like working there, your employer and you both have the same right -- to terminate the relationship. Unless you are employed by a public-sector employer, you have no First Amendment rights in the workplace.... Read More
A "hostile work environment" means something other than what you think. Generally, it means that your employer discriminates against a particular... Read More
As a general matter, federal employment discrimination law does not expressly prohibit such discrimination. If female employees are treated differently from male employees, there may be a claim under traditional principles of gender-based discrimination.
As a general matter, federal employment discrimination law does not expressly prohibit such discrimination. If female employees are treated... Read More
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 25658(a): "Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), every person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 years is guilty of a misdemeanor."
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 25658(a): "Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), every person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to... Read More
Generally speaking, you may decline continued coverage under your employer's group insurance program. A consequence of doing so is that you may not be able to elect coverage again, or you may be able to opt in only at specified times or circumstances.
Generally speaking, you may decline continued coverage under your employer's group insurance program. A consequence of doing so is that you may not... Read More