Colorado Corporate Legal Questions

One cannot copyright an idea.  Instead one can copyright the manifestation of that idea.  So for instance, no one can copyright, trademark or patent the idea of a soft drink; one can however protect the idea of "Coca Cola".  So in this case, you need to manifest the idea in a different way.  Can you improve on the idea?  Can you "tweak" it enough to change how the idea is viewed by the public?    In reference to the non-disclosure, you can always ask that the recipient of the idea refrain from using it.  But as noted above, if all you have is the idea, but no way to "deliver" the idea to the public, then the non-disclosure will be of little use.  On the other hand, if you have indeed created a product from the idea, then the non-disclosure will be a worthwhile pursuit. Michael J. Katz Corporon & Katz Aurora, Colorado... Read More

Dear Sir or Madam:      The answer is probably yes.  If you are using the company's equipment and it during your business hours (or even after business hours if you are working late), the company has the right to access your messages.  The usual reason for this is that the company expects its employees to use the company time for company business and not for "amusement" as you noted.  Further, it is a way to monitor compliance with any written email/social network policies that it may have.  If you are concerned, you should contact your HR department and ask that they give you chapter and verse of such policies from the employee handbook.  If in fact there is no such policy, them you may possibly have a first amendment claim.  Even if there is no written policy however, it would be very difficult and expensive to pursue the matter.       The caution that I always give clients is that: (i) email/im are forever; and, (ii) don't use company equipment for personal matters.      Best of Luck   Michael J. Katz... Read More