Chris Holman speaks with Zachary W. Behler, Attorney, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC, Lansing, they have 5 branches across MI.
· What kind of inventions are eligible for patent protection?
· When should I think about filing a patent application?
· Is there anything I can do on my own before I call a patent attorney?
To hear Zachary and Chris's conversation on these points, click play on the PodCast below.
Foster Swift will be in Southfield, Traverse City and Grand Rapids this year helping folks who want to do business internationally, answer questions like 
1) What is a trademark?
2) Are there different kinds of trademarks?
3) What are the benefits of registering them?
4) What are the biggest barriers clients face in registering?
5) What can you do to protect the internationally?
Businesses that are new to exporting or looking into entering new foreign markets will benefit from attending one of three "Legal Essentials to Exporting" seminars. Attending "Legal Essentials" will help businesses in identifying legal issues that should be addressed prior to pursuing export opportunities.
Below is a list of live training events for 2019:
|
Subject |
Date/Time |
Locations |
|
Export Control Compliance Overview Training |
May 19 |
Foster Swift-Traverse City Office 600 E. Front Street, Suite 104 Traverse City, MI 49686 |
|
Intellectual Property & Business Partner Due Diligence & Export Control Compliance Overview Training |
September 19 |
Foster Swift-Grand Rapids Office 1700 East Beltline, N.E., Suite 200 Grand Rapids, MI 49525
|
In the United States, exporting is a privilege and not a right. These programs are a practical means for business owners and employers to learn about the regulations, procedures and best practices relevant to exporting their products or services.
These seminars are delivered by Foster Swift's international trade attorneys and sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) as part of the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Launched in 2011, STEP is a grant program designed to develop or expand export-related activities in an attempt to empower eligible small businesses.
Topics covered in these training seminars include but are not limited to:
- The importance, process and time-frame for protecting intellectual property when exporting
- Importance of a comprehensive contract
- Available resources to combat infringement
- Tips on avoiding litigation and conflict related to US and international trademark infringement
- Resources available to help with due diligence regarding foreign business partners
- Why due diligence is important
- How international contracts are different than domestic contracts
- 10 key issues to reduce risk in international contracts with business partners
- Overview of US export control laws and regulations including Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
- What happens when there is a violation of US export control laws
These seminars are free to attend, however advanced registration is required and can be found at https://MEDC.cvent.com/export2019.
Jacob W. Leuvoy, Marketing Communications Coordinator,
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
313 South Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48933-2193
Phone: 517.371.8125 Fax: 517.371.8200
