If your business involves the creation of original designs or ideas you should be aware of the methods by which those ideas and designs (and to some extent the products themselves) can be protected. This article is a brief overview of the types of protection which may be available to designers.

Shareholders' agreements protect a business. Marcela is at a crossroads which many growing businesses face. Her business is facing some exciting developments but Marcela faces a real challenge in devoting the time required to grow the business. Taking on new shareholders and directors could assist with that growth. But how does this affect Marcela?

Marcela will want to ensure that the new shareholders are incentivised but she will also want to protect the business. This can be achieved by entering into a shareholders agreement with the new shareholders. This agreement could deal with the following:-

Before new businesses attempt to put measures in place of securing any client information for Data Protection Act purposes and incurring costs, your organisation must first ensure that they qualify for data protection registration.

Certain activities are exempt from the requirement to register. Such exemptions include for example Data Controllers who only process personal information for staff administration (including payroll), advertising, marketing and public relations (in connection with their own business activity), accounts and records. Exemptions apply to some non-for profit organisations and also in situations where you are handling data for family, friends or relatives. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulate data protection and will be able to guide you as to whether any of the exemptions apply to your business.

fishbowlhq says: As an inafishbowl.com Expert, Gavin White joined our Expert Panel at our recent inafishbowl.com Business Clinic Live event. Here, he discusses how being an Expert is his way of giving something back to the business community by sharing his legal knowledge and how the inafishbowl.com live event has been a great opportunity to discuss things with the Businesses.