The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Amptopia have partnered together to feature one company each month and share key lessons and practices that have contributed to its growth.  Saper Law Offices has been selected as the May feature business.  The interview is available on the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce website and reprinted below:

This month, Amptopia spoke with Saper Law Offices, a Chicago-based intellectual property, business, and media law firm that has built a strong reputation for counseling creative entrepreneurs and innovative business organizations. Daliah Saper, the firm’s Principal Attorney, founded the firm in 2005. Since then the firm has handled a number of high profile cases (including one before the Illinois Supreme Court); and has emerged as one of the nation’s leading intellectual property and internet law firms. News outlets, including Fox News, CNBC, ABC, NPR, and the Chicago Tribune, regularly call on Saper Law for legal commentary on Facebook, Twitter, Cyber-bullying, Privacy and other online issues.

Our discussion focused not only on the challenges Saper Law faced during its start-up phase, but also reflected on what has helped the firm continue its year over year growth.

1. Please describe your business. Who are your target customers?
The firm focuses on IP, media and business law. This includes tackling traditional business issues such as drafting contracts and setting up corporate entities, as well as legal services catering more specifically to media entrepreneurs and innovative business, such as negotiating software licensing, drafting film production agreements and counseling on Internet regulation.

The firm has grown up alongside the start-ups of the tech & social media industry. When I first established my practice, I had an immediate rapport with these young entrepreneurs due to the similarity in our ages and our similar approaches to business. While the firm expanded its client base to include companies from a variety of industries—from retail to musicians—these tech start-ups continue to make up a core of its clientele.

2. What is one of the greatest marketing and/or sales challenge you had to address in your start-up phase?
Like other start-ups, we lacked resources. When we started out we had to get creative and focus on low-cost/no cost mediums, and social media fit that bill. However, we also made it a point to gain exposure and build our credibility through speaking engagements and authoring articles or blogs for a variety of publications. The firm’s prolific publishing output has been a boon to our SEO. With links to over 500 pieces of editorial content published over the last 8 years, the firm’s website maintains a first-page presence and, in many cases, a top search ranking in just about every query relevant to our practice. However, while this marketing strategy did eventually bear fruit, it has taken a tremendous amount of time and dedicated commitment to make it successful.

3. From a revenue generation perspective, what is the one thing you would do differently if you could do it all over again?
Trying to attend every networking event available can be a substantial commitment of time with very little monetary benefit. Over time, we’ve  learned as a firm to thoroughly research the events we attend and to be selective, targeting events that attract the types of companies and contacts that may have a need for our services.

4. What is one thing you would recommend to another business to control expenses?
Take close inventory of the expenses that are absolutely critical to running your business. We were fortunate; all it really takes to run a law firm is a computer and a brain. Analyze what you need, and cut the rest.

5. What has been your greatest success in driving revenue and sales?
The firm stays true to its core competencies rather than trying to be everything to everyone. Over time, we’ve built up a reputation within our niche, and that allows us to stand out.

6. Is there any general advice you would like to share with your fellow small businesses and start-ups?
Slow and easy wins the race. You can’t expect to hang a sign one day and achieve $1M in revenue the same year. It just doesn’t work that way. There’s absolutely no replacement for hard work and time to build both your business and reputation.

This series is a collaborative effort supported by www.amptopia.com, a valued chamber member and software technology company, dedicated to empowering businesses with a simplified platform to increase their marketing revenue while minimizing expenses

On April 16, Saper Law associate Chris McElwain gave a talk at Chicago-Kent School of Law about the latest developments in the nationwide wave of copyright suits involving peer-to-peer file sharing and pornography.

Saper Law frequently receives inquiries from nervous “John Does” who have received notification letters from their ISPs alerting them that a plaintiff in a pending lawsuit has linked their IP address to the unauthorized sharing of an adult video and that a subpoena has been issued to attempt to obtain their subscriber information. Chris went over the tough set of options that these Does face and the advice he tries to give, and discussed some of the legal issues raised by these lawsuits, including the joinder of hundreds of defendants, the standing of anonymous parties, the problems with using an IP address to identify an individual, and judicial oversight of early discovery.

Chris also touched briefly on the very different set of legal questions implicated by the Flava Works cases, a series of lawsuits, several of which were defended by Saper Law, in which an adult entertainment company sued its former subscribers on the basis of software that allegedly linked them to unauthorized file sharing.

More information about the Social Media Masters Summit is below:

Digital Megaphone’s Social Media Masters Summit is a power packed day of best practice Social Media case studies that go beyond typical tactics, paving the way for a new way of thinking.

The Social Media Masters Summit was created to deliver cutting-edge, winning examples of social media / interactive marketing best practices and bring together brands, social influencers, agency contacts and consultants. Vet speakers and sponsors are carefully chosen to create a high-energy learning environment.

Walgreens, Kellogg’s, Tropicana, Facebook, Walgreens, ConAgra, Domino’s Pizza,   NCR, Buick, Chevy, Southwest Airlines, Weber Shandwick, Edelman Digital, Social Katy, cars.com, Threadless, Ford, babycenter.com and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

Speakers Include

EVENT DETAILS:

5th Annual Social Media Masters Summit
Wednesday, May 1st
9am – 5pm
Microsoft Innovation Center
200 E. Randolph

For more information visit http://www.builtinchicago.org/events/social-media-masters-summit-5th-annual

Strategies for Spanning the E-Discovery Divide

• 7th Circuit eDiscovery Update
• Structured Data: Challenges and Opportunities with Application Governance and Retirement
• Building and Enhancing Your Information Governance Program
• Social Media and Cloud Preservation and Investigations
• International eDiscovery
• A Cost-Effective eDiscovery Approach

***CLE credit will be earned***

Details below:

LEGAL COS PLAY

In XiYouJi, Sun Wukong launches his famous Havoc in Heaven with a simple act of rebranding. After a humiliating gig as stablegroom, the Handsome Monkey King adopts the title “QiTianDaSheng,” a catchy, distinctive name that perfectly reflects his idea of his own position in the marketplace. He’s so pleased with his innovative marketing efforts that he’s willing to fight both gods and demons to protect his brand.

Like Sun Wukong, business owners know that their name can be one of their most valuable assets, and selecting a name is one of the first important decisions entrepreneurs have to make. Unfortunately, many companies fail to consider the implications of trademark law on their choice of brand.

Trademarks are words or symbols that help consumers identify who makes a product. Trademarks can be strong or weak. The owner of a strong trademark can prevent anyone from using any name that’s even a little bit similar to theirs and can protect the name in connection with a broad variety of related goods and services. The owner of a weak trademark may only be able to prevent competitors from attaching an identical name to an identical product.

Having a weak trademark can allow competitors to free-ride on your company’s goodwill and hinder your efforts to build brand awareness. Here are a few of the most common mistakes companies make when selecting their name:

1) Picking a name that just describes your product

U.S. trademark law does not allow you to protect words that merely describe what your product is or what your product does. If you’re selling noodles, don’t call your product “Noodles.” If you design mobile apps, don’t call yourself Mobile App Design.

Trademark lawyers often argue about whether a name is too descriptive to be a trademark. For example, although “Energizer” is a well-known brand of battery, it is arguably merely a description of what a battery does (providing energy). Choosing a name that has no apparent connection to your product—for example, calling your computer company “Apple”—minimizes the room for argument and strengthens the protectability of your brand.

Choosing a descriptive name is understandably tempting for businesses. Companies naturally want a name that tells consumers exactly what they do. However, the more descriptive a name is, the harder it is to protect. It’s worthwhile exercising a little imagination before you call your delicious seafood restaurant “Delicious Seafood Restaurant.”

2) Picking a name that someone else is already using

Under U.S. trademark law, trademark rights go to the first person to use the trademark. Therefore, before falling in love with a particular name for your product, try to find out if anyone else is using the same name (or, better yet, hire an attorney to do a search for you). The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) keeps a database of trademarks that have been officially registered for use on a nationwide basis. In addition, a simple Internet search may give you a rough idea of who else is using similar names.

At worst, choosing a name that someone is already using could lead to a trademark infringement lawsuit. At the very least, it could prevent you from developing a unique and distinctive brand.

3) Not using your trademark

Again, trademark rights are based on use. A trademark is only protectable if it is attached to goods or services that you are actually selling. Some companies think that pasting their logo on a website next to a TM symbol is enough to protect it. It’s not.

The more you use your trademark and the better known it becomes, the stronger it is.

4) Not using your trademark consistently

Using multiple variations of your trademark or using multiple trademarks on a single product weakens the strength of those trademarks.

If a product is known by many different names, this hampers consumers’ abilities to form strong associations between a trademark and a product. Similarly, although a trademark owner can prevent others from using variations of their trademark to some extent, it is important to use a consistent version of your trademark: consistent spelling, consistent appearance, consistent color.

5) Not registering your trademark

You don’t have to register your trademark to begin acquiring trademark rights, but until you file a trademark application with the USPTO, your rights may be limited. Without registration, you may only be able to protect your trademark within the specific geographic region where you’re operating. In addition, if you do find that someone else is using your trademark without your permission, you may have a difficult time proving that you were the first to use the trademark, and you may have fewer options for enforcing your rights.

Registration with the USPTO gives you trademark protection throughout the United States and makes it easier to pursue legal action if you find that someone is attempting to copy your brand.

The QiTianDaSheng had to battle the gods to establish a strong trademark. By avoiding the common mistakes above, you may be able to protect your brand without resorting to violence.

Read more: http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/22054669/associated-press-twitter-account-hacked-account-suspended-white-house-explosion-barack-obama-injured#ixzz2RLl1CDao

Cyber Security & Forensics Conference

April 18 & 19, 2013

ForenSecure will feature presentations and panels focusing on:

- Security
- Forensics
- Management & Policy

Aaron Midler, of Saper Law, will speak about the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act at the  IT Forensics and Security Conference and Expo at Illinois Institute of Technology. This multi-track, technical conference attracts 200+ professionals for an intensive one- and a half-day schedule that includes discussion and debate over forensics, security, data/information governance, cyber crime and security, ethical hacking, eDiscovery, cloud forensics, steganography, policy and compliance, privacy, wireless security, cloud computing, and identity theft.

A Criminal Click: Is The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act In Need of Rehabilitation?

Saper Law Offices, LLC – Aaron Midler

The tragic death of Internet activist Aaron Swartz has brought the issue of content piracy back into broad public debate. This presentation will provide a snapshot of law and policy currently in place to thwart content privacy and unauthorized access to computer systems. In the first twenty minutes, we’ll cover the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (“CFAA”), its history, its applicability to disputes between employers and employees, the facts of the Swartz case, and the proposals subsequently put forward to amend it in light of Swartz’s death. After discussing the CFAA, we’ll devote the remaining twenty minutes to the so-called “Super Digital Millennium Copyright Act” laws enacted by various states, new industry alliances designed to thwart content infringement by internet service subscribers, and case law (if time permits).

Speakers will include:

• Special Agent Eric Brelsford     FBI Cyber Squad, Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RCFL)
• Steven Murawski      SysAdmin at StackOverflow / StackExchange
• Greg O’Reilly, Cook County Public Defender’s Office
• TJ OConnor, Keynote Speaker: TJ OConnor is author of the recently published book, Violent Python.

Malware Challenge &  Barrier1 Hacking Challenge:  Details can be found here.

Information Technology and Management Program
Illinois Institute of Technology’s Rice Campus
School of Applied Technology
201 East Loop Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-682-6000

How To Be Successful in the Law: Top Attorneys Under 40

Add to Calendar

As a newer attorney, have you ever wondered how to be the best you can be in your legal career? Do you wish someone would provide you with a road map to success? If so, then you will gain some insight from this panel of attorneys who have appeared on the 2012 Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s 40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch list. Attendees will learn what made this all-star panel so passionate about the law, their clients, and their community.

PANELISTS:
William Tarnow, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP – Labor and Employment
Claudia Castro, Assistant State’s Attorney – Criminal Law
Daliah Saper, Saper Law Offices, LLC – Intellectual Property
Steve Ciszewski, Novack & Macey – Commercial Litigation
Jackie Torshen, Katz & Stefani – Family Law

MODERATOR:
Octavio Duran, Willens Law Offices

Details below:

Viral sexting. Cruel attack blogs. Phony Facebook profiles. Vicious online rumors.

Cyberbullying can take many forms and has become an issue which adults, parents, schools, and our legal system is struggling to tackle.  Saper Law frequently receives inquiries related to cyberbullying so we’re dedicating our April seminar to the legal aspects of this hot topic.

We’ve invited two fantastic guest speakers to lend their expertise to our conversation: Adam Sokol of the Illinois AG’s office and criminal law attorney, Adam Sheppard of Sheppard Law Firm, P.C  Daliah Saper will serve as the moderator. (Click on the these links to watch her Fox News interviews about sexting and cyberbullying).

Adam Sokol will discuss the complaints his office receives about cyberbullying—both in the classic schoolyard context as well in regard to adult and even business victims; what if anything they can do about it, and the hurdles victims face.

Adam Sokol has been Assistant Attorney General for the state of Illinois since 1996 in the consumer fraud division. He has been the primary attorney on civil internet issues since 1999. Having successfully investigated and prosecuted cases involving internet auction fraud, affiliate marketing fraud, and cybersquatting. Adam conducted training seminars for local, state and federal law enforcement personnel on matters such as  internet auction fraud and internet investigation techniques.  He has also conducted CLE classes and guest lectured at Northwestern law school on numerous internet related topics and have appeared on several local television and radio stations as well.

Adam Sheppard will discuss criminal prosecutions under the Harassment through Electronic Communications statute, as well as related issues, like searches and seizures of electronic communications, particularly cell phone searches.

Adam led several investigations regarding online defamation and related cyberbullying issues, he has  consulted and assisted  numerous law enforcement agencies on related matters. He is a partner in Sheppard Law Firm, P.C., a criminal defense firm. Sheppard Law Firm which has a heavy concentration of cases involving electronic data communications. Adam serves on the editorial board of the Chicago Bar Association Record magazine co-editor-in-chief of the Young Lawyers Journal and has published articles, including in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, regarding search and seizures of electronic data. Adam is also honored to serve on the federal defender panel, a panel of private attorneys deemed qualified by federal judges and lawyers, which the government appoints to represent indigent defendants in criminal cases. Adam has worked with the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago in promoting awareness of the legal ramifications of CyberBullying.  Additionally, Adam has lectured to John Marshall Law School about searches and seizures in the school setting, including searches of students’ cell phones.  Adam has been a repeat selection to the “Rising Star” list in Super Lawyer magazine.

]]> http://saperlaw.com/blog/2013/04/10/rsvp-for-april-17-seminar-at-saper-law-cyberbullying/feed/ 0 http://saperlaw.com/blog/2013/04/04/fox-business-interviews-daliah-saper-regarding-the-proliferation-of-twitter-bots/ http://saperlaw.com/blog/2013/04/04/fox-business-interviews-daliah-saper-regarding-the-proliferation-of-twitter-bots/#comments Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:56:16 +0000 Saper Law http://saperlaw.com/blog/?p=1993 Fox Business recently interviewed Daliah Saper about the widespread use of Twitter Bots in advertising and political campaigns. Watch the video here:

Posted: Feb 13, 2013 4:21 PM CST
Updated: Feb 20, 2013 4:21 PM CST
By Tisha Lewis, FOX 32 News reporter – bio | email

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Charlie Sheen’s ex-goddess and former porn star Bree Olson is now starring in a new controversial billboard across the street from the Rock n’ Roll McDonalds on Ontario and Clark Streets.

The billboard says, “Because the best job is a b**w job.”

“The first time I saw it I was shocked to be quite frank and I do have children, I have eight. I have a lot of kids so that was quite disappointing and McDonalds was always somewhere that I took my children,” said Lexie Neal.

Snapshots taken from the second floor of the McDonalds in Downtown Chicago show a clear view of the lewd message. Neal describes how she would explain the sexually-charged slogan to her child.

“It’s a pretty lady on the picture, basically, that’s what I would have to say and I wouldn’t comment on the rest of it,” said Neal.

The billboard’s concept was created by ArrangementFinders.com, a dating website for women seeking mutually beneficial relationships. The site boasts it’s Bree Olson certified. Its marketing director, A.J. Perkins, says the billboard’s taboo topic was in response to Chicago’s unemployment rate but he also said Chicago’s high female to male ratio attracted the site’s creators to the city.

“It’s only really offensive to the people who are really against things like that,” said John Markovich.

Attorney Daliah Saper breaks down the city’s code concerning unlawful material harmful to minors and if the billboard’s message qualifies.

“It’s really difficult to make that decision,” Saper says. “The city’s code is really aimed at prohibiting the widespread distribution of pornography or anything else that’s clearly elicit. I think it’s going to be a matter of public outcry for the city to really step in and maybe limit perhaps the 1st amendment rights of the billboard.”

According to ArrangementFinder.com’s CMO AJ Perkins, debuting the sexy new billboard in Chicago was a real no-brainer. “Chicago has more members on ArrangementFinders than any major U.S. city, 41,230 to be exact,” boasts Perkins.

The dating site already has its sights set on several nearby locations to erect additional Bree billboards in the coming weeks.

Read more: Sheen`s ex Bree Olson stars in controversial Chicago billboard – KMSP-TV http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/21190349/sheens-ex-featured-in-controversial-chicago-billboard#ixzz2M9e5MlA6

• This employee is awful.  How do I get rid of her?
• How should I properly hire and fire employees, and what accounting issues do I have to worry about?
• What policies should I have in place?
• What benefits do I have to give my employees?
• Do I need to carry any kind of insurance?

Just as often, we also receive inquiries related to post­-employment law issues. For example:

• How do I make sure that former employees won’t steal my secrets or my customers?
• Are non-competes really enforceable?
• What is wrong with California law, seriously?

To delve into these issues in detail, we are inviting Charles Krugel, of Charles A. Krugel, Labor and Employment Law, & Marc Pullman, of Pullman and Gotkin, to speak at our February seminar.

Charles Krugel is an experienced, management-side, labor & employment attorney & litigator, & a small business person himself.  He will help you understand the litigation process & costs by sharing examples of real cases he’s litigated & resolved.http://www.charlesakrugel.com/

Aaron Midler is a Saper Law associate whose practice focuses on a variety of business and intellectual property related matters.  He will help you understand the considerations that go into drafting effective non-compete/non-solicit agreements and will highlight cases that Saper Law has litigated around these issues.

Marc Pullman is an experienced transactional attorney who has previously worked with a number of multi-national corporations.  He will help you understand the basic ins and outs of employment-related transactions and provide guidance on creating employee policies that will help your business run smoothly. http://www.pullmanlaw.com/index.php/template

Join us for an enlightening panel discussion and networking afterward!

DETAILS:
Date and Time: February 19, 2013, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Location : Saper Law Offices, LLC 505 N Lasalle, Suite 350
Cost: $10 with online registration: http://hiringandfiring.eventbrite.com, $25 at the door

Attorney Daliah Saper tackled these legal issues head on from 2008 to 2012 in Bonhomme v. St. James. In that case, defendant Janna St. James deceived plaintiff Paula Bonhomme into conducting an online relationship with her over the course of a year and a half through the creation of a male alter ego, Jesse James.

The hoax was extensive.  St. James utilized voice modulators and social media to create a cast of characters who fleshed out her fictional life.  These characters inhabited Jesse’s world and corroborated stories that he told Bonhomme, strengthening her belief in his existence.  Through these efforts, St. James extracted numerous gifts from her victim, worth thousands of dollars, before she ended the hoax by killing Jesse off–an event which sent Bonhomme into deep depression and medical illness.

Despite this outrageous behavior, St. James escaped legal liability for her actions.  At the trial and appellate levels, St. James succeeded in dismissing Bonhomme’s complaint and, due to procedural issues, the Illinois Supreme Court was only able to hear Attorney Saper’s appeal on a single issue from the case–fraudulent misrepresentation.  Unfortunately, the Court declined to extend the tort, typically seen in business-related disputes, to the personal level.

If you have found yourself in a similar situation or have questions about the legal ramifications of internet hoaxes, please contact our office.

Other Links:

Illinois Supreme Court Arguments in Bonhomme v. St. James

Saper Law Attorneys Argue Before the Illinois Supreme Court

Paula Bonhomme v. St. James Case Continues to Grab Headlines

Saper Law Wins Appellate Court Argument in an Unusual Case Involving Internet Fraud and Misrepresentation

Every year, hundreds of individuals find themselves accused of illegally showing pay-per-view events such as boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA). If you received a demand letter or have been served in this type of lawsuit, Saper Law may be able to help.

Saper Law represents individuals and businesses sued for the unauthorized receiving and showing of pay-per-view sports events.  This article provides some information to help you understand these “signal piracy” lawsuits and how they might affect you.

What you need to know:

Recently, the promoters of pay-per-view sporting events have been cracking down on what they consider “piracy.” The biggest players in this crackdown are J&J Sports Productions, Inc. and Joe Hand Promotions, Inc., although since 2010 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been employing its own anti-piracy teams.[1]  In 2010 alone, J&J Sports filed 708 law suits, Joe Hand filed 515 law suits, and the UFC filed 41 law suits.[2]

How do they know who’s showing these events? Pay-per-view providers send out private investigators and undercover surveillance teams to bars, taverns, and other public establishments.  They look for commercial establishments who are exhibiting the pay-per-view events  without paying the required subscription fee.

Under the Interception of Radio Communications Act and the Unauthorized Reception of Cable Service Act – you could face over $100,000 in damages if you are found to have willfully transmitted a cable or satellite signal (e.g. a pay-per-view boxing match) without the proper license.[3]  These federal statutes allow awards of up to $10,000 for each violation with a penalty as high as $100,000 if you have acted willfully and for commercial advantage or private financial gain.[4]

In accordance with these Acts,  pay-per-view plaintiffs have obtained considerable judgments. For example, in October 2009, a federal judge ordered a Bakery Shop in Queens, N.Y. to pay $110,000, plus $540 in costs for showing a March 2009 World Cup qualifying soccer match.[5]  Many recent cases in Illinois have resulted in awards for providers between $10,000 and $40,000.

These suits are not limited to commercial establishments.  Even if you are a noncommercial establishment, if you are using a descrambling device or other improper means of acquiring a television signal, you may be subject to the same federal statutes and the same potential damages.

What to do now:

Do not ignore any letters from your cable/satellite provider or pay-per-view provider, and contact an attorney as soon as possible.

A knowledgeable attorney may be able to assist in negotiating a favorable settlement to your case or in directing you to another course of action.  With the help of a knowledgeable attorney, many of these types of cases have been settled for well below the exorbitant demands made by the pay-per-view providers in their initial correspondence.

See the complete list here: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/inc-well/How-to-Lawyer-Up-for-Your-Startup-163185416.html

Saper Law Holiday Party and Style Presentation at Trunk Club (Models needed!)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Trunk Club’s Amazing New Loft Space
325 West Ohio Street
Chicago, IL  60654
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm, Light Appetizers
Cost: $5 suggested donation to the Chicago Fashion Foundation
Online registration required:  http://saperlawtrunkclub.eventbrite.com/

Have some holiday soirees you’re not sure how to dress for? Need some new winter gear for that date next week, or your family gathering?  Find out exactly what to wear to any event going on this season while you network with other Saper Law clients and friends.   Senior Stylist at Trunk Club, Birdie Bartholomew, will utilize volunteer models to showcase the latest designer trends.  If you are bold enough to volunteer, please call Daliah Saper to discuss the details!

By popular demand, Saper Law is once again hosting a Designer Roundtable event. Attendees are invited to bring their unique pieces, their pocketbooks, or just themselves, to “shop, sell, and share.”

Continuing its tradition of supporting designers and entrepreneurs, Saper Law Offices will hold its Fifth Annual Designer Roundtable event on Tuesday, December 18^th.

Read more about the first Designer Roundtable event here.

The roundtable discussion format focuses on a variety of business issues, both legal and operational. Daliah Saper, Principal Attorney at Saper Law and Chicago Fashion Foundation Board Member, will serve as the moderator and discussion leader for a number of key subjects, answering questions about:  business incorporation, the hiring of independent contractors vs. employees, registering for copyrights and trademarks, and negotiating key contract provisions. Other important issues discussed will include social media strategies (and their legal implications), proper record keeping, and general public relations and marketing tips.

This event is geared towards entrepreneurs in creative disciplines, namely fashion design, jewelry design, interior design, film, music, and art. In addition to participating in the Roundtable, attendees will have time to network, eat lunch, and peruse the make shift boutique. Come to learn from and talk to other professionals in creative enterprises!

Details:
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Saper Law Offices, LLC
505 N. LaSalle, Suite 350
Chicago, IL 60654
Time: 11:45 – 1:45
Cost $10 with advanced registration:  http://5roundtable.eventbrite.com/
OR pay $25.00 at the door.
Lunch will be provided.

Read about our representation here.

Wired magazine recently covered the cases, quoting Daliah Saper in its article. Read it here.

For the fourth year in a row, Daliah Saper moderated the first of several educational panels targeted to the City of Chicago’s more than 400 local designers and 300 independent boutiques.  This year’s topic was “Home Shopping.”  Specically, attendees of the session learned from Chicago insiders that have sold their designs, worked at, and negotiated contracts with Home Shopping Network, QVC and Shop NBC.

Read about the panel here: http://chicago.racked.com/archives/2012/10/16/three-designers-talk-about-the-retail-experience-on-your-couch.php