We value what you have to say about business, nonprofit and intellectual property issues. This is why we cordially invite you to be featured as a Guest Blogger on our blog at www.DandridgeLaw.com!

What is a blog?
The word "blog" is short for "web log," which is any writing posted on the internet in a cumulative log-style form.

How to Become Featured as a Guest Blogger:

1. Prepare 1-4 paragraphs about a business, nonprofit or intellectual property issue. The writing does not have to be legal or technical in nature. We encourage personal stories and creative pieces as well. Sample topics might include: "Reasons for Starting Your Own Business/Nonprofit"; "2009: The Year of Change and New Opportunity for Small Business Owners"; "How Nonprofit Organizations Fill the Government Service Gap"; "Valuable Business Ideas Ripe for Protection"; "Every American has an Entrepreneurial Spirit"; "Why I Became My Own Boss"...topic ideas are limitless!

2. Email your writing to Nicole at Nicole@DandridgeLaw.com

We will feature as much or as little information about you as you would like, which may inclde: Your Name, Title, Company Name, Link to your Website, Link to your Blog, Email address, etc. You may also post anonymously.

The Benefits of Blogging:
* Building the name and reputation of your business
* Increasing your personal name recognition
* Joining the web-based dialogue and information community
* Networking
* Relational Marketing * Positioning you as an expert
* Sharing personal experiences
* Brand Building * It's Fun!

We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions, please contact Nicole at Nicole@DandridgeLaw.com

THE NEW ECONOMY: STARTING A BUSINESS AND CREATING YOUR OWN JOB

2009 is the year for change and through entrepreneurship we will recharge our sagging economy. Have you always wanted to start a business? Did you take a buy out? Have you been laid off? Take control of your career and your future by attending a FREE BUSINESS FORMATION WORKSHOP offered by THE DANDRIDGE LAW FIRM on Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Learn essential business legal planning basics for your new company. The Firm will also offer preparation and filing of required organizing documents. Don’t wait, start your own business now!

Location: Nandi's Knowledge Café at 12511 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48203. Seats are limited. RSVP to Andre Dandridge at: Andre@DandridgeLaw.com or by phone at 517-256-1368.

Labels: Business Start-up, New business entity

Although the general rule is that the person who creates a work is the author of that work, there is an exception to that principle: the copyright law defines a category of works called “works made for hire.” If a work is “made for hire,” the employer, and not the employee, is considered the author. The employer may be a firm, an organization, or an individual. (See U.S. Copyright Office Circular 9)

A work made for hire according to Section 101 of the copyright statute is: 1) a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment; or 2) a work specially ordered or comissioned for use as a contribution to a collective work . The author of a work made for hire is the employer or other person for whom the work has been prepared and should be named as the author. How does a work made for hire effect copyright ownership? The owner of the copyright of a work made for hire is the employer or the other person for whom the work was prepared.

For more information, see U.S. Copyright Office Circular 9, Works Made for Hire under the 1976 Copyright Act at: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ9.html

Please contactus@dandridgelaw.com should you have any questions regarding this post or our services.

Labels: copyright, employee copyright ownership, employer copyright ownership

Some nonprofit organizations are unaware that they must complete an annual tax return, (in the case of a nonprofit, the term is 'information return') to be filed with the IRS. IRS Form 990 is the base form that must be filed by nonprofit organizations. The specific Form 990 (990-N, 990-F, 990-EZ, etc.) that must be used for your type of nonprofit organization depends largely on the amount of revenue the nonprofit realized for the tax year being reported, and the type of organization. Different types of nonprofits include public charities, private foundations, family foundations, and all 501(c) indications. As your filing deadline for the year 2008 is fast approaching, be sure to have your annual information return prepared as soon as possible, to avoid penalties and potentially losing your tax-exempt status.

The IRS recently updated the 2008 Forms 990 and 990-EZ. To assist nonprofits in understanding the new form, the following materials highlight significant changes to the Form and instructions, and explain the 2008 Form 990 redesign process.

Filing Threshold Table/Chart
On-Line Mini-Courses on Redesigned Form 990
IRS Issues Instructions for New Form 990 (News Release IR 2008-98)
2008 Form 990-EZ Instructions Released
Background Paper--Summary of Form 990 Redesign Process
Background Paper--Form 990, Moving From the Old to the New
Chronological History: Redesign of the 2008 Form 990 and Corresponding Instructions

Please contactus@dandridgelaw.com should you have any questions regarding this post or our services.

Labels: IRS Tax Return, Nonprofit Annual Return, Nonprofit Information Return, Nonprofit Tax Return