The Right to Publicity is a relatively new animal in the State of Alabama, as it was only established by statute (Ala. Code § 6-5-770 through 774) in 2015. At a surface level, the Right to Publicity is a person’s right to control their Indicia of Identity in the flow of commerce. The “indicia of identity” is defined as, “those attributes of a person that serve to identify that person to an ordinary, reasonable viewer or listener, including, but not limited to, name, signature, photograph, image, likeness, voice, or a substantially similar imitation of one or more of those attributes.” Ala. Code § 6-5-771. This is commonly understood as someone’s “name, image, or likeness,” or “NIL” for short.

BlogTripp WatsonMarch 20, 2024The Watson Firm | The Entrepreneur's Law Firmpublicity, image, name, likeness, NILComment

Non-Competes must be Signed by BOTH PARTIES

Litigating non-competes in Alabama has always been a detail-oriented and high-stakes affair, and this case further proves how even basic mistakes can completely invalidate an otherwise-enforceable non-compete agreement.

Blog, CommentaryTripp WatsonNovember 9, 2023Employment, non-compete, restrictive covenantsComment

How Many LLCs Does My Small Business Need?

When starting or growing a business, you know you might need an LLC or two, but how many do you really need? Tripp Watson discusses the considerations in setting up multiple LLCs, and what are the pros and cons to having increasingly complex business structures.

Should I Have a Trust Set Up to Protect My Pet After I Die?

Many of us consider our pets to be members of our family, and we want to ensure they are cared for even after we pass away. For a lot of business owners, you care so much about your business and your family, you might forget about setting up something for your extended family.

BlogTripp WatsonMay 10, 2023trusts, estate planningComment

HIGH PRIORITY: Small Businesses must comply with new federal mandatory disclosure laws or face steep fines or imprisonment

Small businesses will now be required to disclose all “beneficial owners” to a newly-created law enforcement agency or face daily penalties or possible imprisonment. The new reporting scheme is largely unprecedented. The reporting requirements themselves are not extensive, but the constancy of updating disclosures will likely chill business formation.

What is a Registered Agent?

Every state in the United States requires that any formed legal entity maintain a Registered Agent in any state that they operate, including Alabama. Failure to appoint a Registered Agent may result in the administrative dissolution of a company and can be a basis for piercing the corporate veil and exposing a company’s owners to unnecessary personal liability. A company’s Registered Agent is important, so what does a Registered Agent do?

BlogTripp WatsonOctober 1, 2021The Watson Firmllc, corporationsComment

Benefit Corporations - Alabama’s Latest Corporation

A benefit corporation, often called a “B-Corp,” is a for-profit corporate entity. The main purpose of a benefit corporation is the well-being of its community and environment, as well as taking the corporation’s profit and security into account.

BlogMadison ThomasApril 13, 2021corporations, Alabama, benefit corporations, B-CorpsComment

What are LLC Operating Agreements?

Operating Agreements might be one of the most boring topics you could face when starting your business. However, the Operating Agreement is designed to mitigate the single biggest threat to the success of your business.

How to Complete the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Application

The Payroll Protection Program’s Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application Form can be daunting to complete. In this video, Tripp Watson walks you through the process of completing the application:

A Legal Guide to Buying a Timeshare

What are the important factors that you should consider when buying into a timeshare?

Who owns the Law? Lessons from Code Revision Commissioner v. Public.Resource.Org, Inc.

Flying under the radar, a recent decision out of the 11th Circuit has profound implications. Code Revision Commissioner v. Public.Resource.Org, Inc., No. 17-11589 (11th Cir. 2018) was decided back in October, but it hasn’t received a significant amount of attention.

BlogTripp WatsonNovember 29, 2018case summariesComment

5 Ways Even Good Lawyers Charge Their Clients Too Much

Some of these activities are more common than others. Law firms will use them (sometimes intentionally, and sometimes not) to pad their bills that ultimately cost you at the end of the day. What’s most disappointing is that none of these practices are even against a lawyer’s code of ethics, so many will do them and face no repercussions.

When hiring or working with an attorney, these are issues you should be on the lookout for:

BlogTripp WatsonSeptember 13, 2018The Watson Firmhiring a lawyer, ratesComment

Are you in the 30% Danger Zone?

Closing a major customer can be one of the best feelings for entrepreneurs. Getting a major contract or order can completely change the trajectory of a business by providing much-needed cash flow and validating months or years of work.

However, closing a big sale like this can be a double-edged sword.

BlogTripp WatsonMay 21, 2018contracts, business consulting, business valuationComment

Can my business partner do that?!

Frank came into the office one morning, much like any other morning. Frank, along with his business partner Tom, had started their own business about a year ago, and the company was just starting to turn the corner towards profitability.

BlogTripp WatsonApril 13, 2018partnership agreements, operating agreements, authority, articles, bylaws, partnershipsComment

Choosing Between a Corporation and an LLC

Selecting the proper business entity is rarely as simple as it might first appear. It requires consideration of a number of factors and not just potential tax liability. After all, few people care that they saved a few bucks on their tax return if their partner steals all the company's money.

BlogTripp WatsonFebruary 23, 2018The Watson Firmcorporations, llcComment

Tripp Watson Again Named "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers Magazine

BlogTripp WatsonNovember 9, 2017Comment

Who Should NOT Have an LLC

BlogTripp WatsonSeptember 13, 2017Comment