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Advertising Your Intellectual Property Rights
Starting & Running Your Own Business Search For Firms By Name, Industry, Subject Or Location
Dealing With Other Businesses Where To Complain or Find Help
Salesman & Solicitations & Franchises Misc. Legal 
  Business Forms


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Advertising

 Stores Must Honor Shelf Prices (Ohio)

Consumer Sales Practices Act (Ohio)
Protects consumers from deceptive advertising and other types of fraud.

Consumer Sales Practices Act-Substantive Rules (Ohio)
OAC § 109:4-3-01 Addresses these consumer related issues.

How To Advertise Without Getting Into Trouble (Nolo.com)

Deceptive Advertisements (Federal Trade Commission) 
Rules & Regulations against such.

Stopping Other Companies From False Advertising
Find out where companies advertise and contact their advertisers to put a stop to their false claims. This site offers a free 7 day trial membership where you can find information such as types of advertising media used, advertising agencies employed by the company, approximate dollars spent in each type of advertising medium, a breakdown of the products handled by each agency employed by the company, and e-mail addresses for key personnel.  

The Applicability of FTC Law to Internet Advertising

Information On US & International Companies
Find the company behind the brand name, where they're located, their financial info, their officers, subsidiaries, who they advertise with, what media they use, and more.

Thomas' Food Industry Register can tell a company's name, address and phone number, the products it produces and the government agencies that regulate both the products and the company itself.

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Dealing With Other Businesses
 Can The Business Be Trusted?
Complaints & Help Agencies
Money Matters
Scams
Forms

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Money Matters

Ohio Money Matters For Small Business (Ohio)
See Topics Below!

Bad Check Laws (State By State Statutes For Each Crime)

Demand Letter For Payment Of Debt
Generic fill in the blank form for demanding payment on an outstanding debt.

Collecting A Debt-Legal Ways To Locate Someone's Bank Account If They're Hiding Money From You

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

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Scams

Anti-Pyramid Sales Act (Ohio)
Makes it is illegal to participate in pyramid sales schemes.
Pyramid sales operate like giant chain letters.  Participants pay to join, then recruit others in order to profit from the new recruits' fees. Although there may be some profit for the handful of people who join at the beginning, the remaining investors inevitably lose all their money.

Protect Your Small Business From Fraud-Basic Tips (Ohio)

Scam Proofing Your Business (BBB)

Scams Against Businesses (The Most Common)

See Also Scams & Cons

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Forms

Ohio Business Forms From The Ohio Attorney General
Includes for profits, non-profits and charities.

Free Business Forms A-Z

Business Sample Form Letters on 40 subjects

General Forms For All Occasions (The 'Lectric Law Library)
Scroll down their forms page for forms on general business matters, living wills, power of attorney, promissory notes, employment and contracting.

Small Business Tax Information & Forms (National)

General & State Specific Forms (Consumer-SOS/Lawyers)

See Money Matters
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Checking If They're Legitimate Or Trustworthy

Search Company Complaints (Ohio Attorney General)
Put in name of company (just the first word or two, leave out "Inc." or "CO").
Can see list of complaints against them and even order the full complaint for a small fee., use in conjunction with the BBB database.

Can The Business Be Trusted? (Consumer-SOS)
Don't get swindled! Learn how to do background checks on a business or business before you get scammed.

Find Out Where A Business Is Incorporated (All 50 States)
Want to sue a business or just see if it's legit? Then you'll need to know it's registered agent and where it's incorporated. 
Every Inc., Corp. or CO. must have a state of incorporation. To find such, first check the Secretary of State where you know the company is doing business.  Next try The Secretary of State in Delaware, which is a very popular place to incorporate. Beware of any "Inc.", "Corp." or "Co." that has not incorporated.  Chances are they're frauds.

Corporation Reverse Lookup-Find out Who Owns it and Who Are The Officers
Type in the business name (Won't show up unless a Corp, LLC, or Inc.) and leave the state blank. To narrow results add the state of incorporation.

Obtaining Corporate Records (On Specific Companies)
Comb through Securities & Exchange Commission fillings, trademark applications, and pending patents. Register here and the free site will stakeout up to ten companies of your choice and send you the information via email.

Resources On How To Profile Businesses
Whether it's researching their track record or looking for sanctions, this is the place.

Finding The Company's Headquarters (Large List Of Addresses & Links)


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Salesman & Solicitations
Dealing With Salesmen/Spotting The Legitimate Offer
Things To Watch Out For When Signing Sales Agreements
Determining The Legitimate Business Opportunity (Includes Franchises)

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Starting Your Own Business
Where To Begin
Loans & Business Development Centers
Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs
Non-Profits
Your Business Name/Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Salesman & Solicitations & Franchises
 Other Legal Matters

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Where To Begin

 Ohio Legal Basics For Small Businesses

Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (Consumer-SOS)
Specifics on these types of business entities.

Non-Profits (Consumer-SOS)

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

Business Transactions and Organizations (Ohio)
Ohio law on bankruptcy exemptions, commercial paper, holder in due course, partnerships and incorporations, LLCs, cognovit notes, lemon laws, etc.

Are Noncompetition Agreements Enforceable in Ohio?

SCORE-Service Corps Of Retired Executives (All 50 States & DC)
Ex CEOs give free or low cost advice on how to start and run  your business.

Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration 
Everything you need to know about starting and running a business.

Writing A Business Plan (Google)

Search Engine For Starting And Running A Business
Articles and Tips on What You Need To Know.

 Steps to Starting Your Own Business (BBB)

Find Your Secretary Of State (All 50 States)
Your Secretary Of State often has information on corporations, stated trademarks and licensing boards.

Starting A Business, Business Plans & Marketing
Click here for samples from A to Z.

Fact Sheet on Record Keeping Requirements Under the FLSA
Under the the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must keep  detailed records on the wages they pay, the ages of their workers and the hours they work. 

Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses 
This is an interactive system designed to help employers and employees understand and comply with numerous employment laws enforced by The  Department Of Labor. Each elaws Advisor gives advice and provides information on a specific law or regulation based on the user's particular situation.

Handy Reference Guide to the Fair Labor Standards Act
 Includes Employer guidelines for record keeping.

Why It's Good To Moonlight (Article)
(Don't quit your day job when starting a business.)

 For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out Nolo.com

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Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration 

Starting Up Your Business (SBA)
Has good general explanations of all you need to know plus helpful links to state & federal agencies as well as SBA programs.

Checklist For Going Into Business (SBA)

Starting Your Business-Most Frequently asked Questions (SBA)

Selecting The Legal Structure Of Your Business (SBA)

Online Brochures on over 100 Business Issues (SBA)


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Loans & Business Development Centers

Loans & Start Up Assistance (National Links/Phone#s)

The Facts About SBA Business Development Centers

Micro-Enterprise FAQs

Micro-Enterprise Dev Programs (50 States & DC)

SBA Borrower's Guide (The Ins & Outs Of Small Business Loans by The SBA)

Micro-loans (Small Loans From Lenders in All 50 States & DC)

 Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration  
Everything you need to know about starting and running a business.

Find The SBA Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)
For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out  Nolo.com

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Your Business Name/Protecting Your Intellectual Property

Trademarks Copyrights
Trade Secrets Other Related Matters
Patents

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


















Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs
 

Ohio Legal Basics For Small Business
Comprehensive index on what smalls businesses need to know.

Business Transactions and Organizations (Ohio)
Ohio law on bankruptcy exemptions, commercial paper, holder in due course, partnerships and incorporations, LLCs, cognovit notes, lemon laws, etc.

Selecting The Legal Structure Of Your Business (Excellent!)
General information, not state specific.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

Articles & Brochures From The U.S. Small Business Administration 
Everything you need to know about starting and running a business.

Online Incorporations  (All 50 States)

Incorporation & LLC Fees  (Lists All 50 States)
Which State Should I Incorporate In?

Find The SBA Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)

Find Your Secretary Of State (All 50 States)
Your Secretary Of State often has information on corporations, stated trademarks and licensing boards.

For More Resources & Great Tips, Check Out  Nolo.com

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Non-Profits

FAQs on Non-Profits., Charities, Complaints, Etc, (Ohio)

Non Profit Answers To The Questions Below: (Ohio)
How can I check if my non-profit organization is properly registered with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office?
How do I contact the Charitable Law Section?
How do I know if my non-profit organization might be exempt from any of the filing or registration requirements?
What changes require updates to the Attorney General’s Office?
What is the easiest way to take care of non-profit filing and registration responsibilities?
What kinds of charitable organizations have to file with the Ohio Attorney General’s office?
When are the deadlines for annual non-profit filing?

Tips On Giving To Charities (Ohio)

Business Forms From The Ohio Attorney General
Includes for profits, non-profits and charities.

Internet Non-Profit Center
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers on Non-Profits.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.


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Where To Go For Help
 

Where To File A Complaint (Ohio)
Choose issue in drop box and they'll direct you to the right agency. Pertains to issues relating to banking, charities, credit cards, incorporations, insurance, landlord tenant and utilities.

Search Complaints Against Companies (Ohio Attorney General)

BBB National Complaint Database
Find the business by name, phone number or web address. To increase the chance of finding the company you are looking for just enter a part of the company's name. Or complain to your Ohio Better Business Bureau.

FAQs on Non-Profits., Charities, Complaints, Etc, (Ohio)

Ohio AIRS Statewide Social Services Directory (Call 211 to speak to a live person)
Thousands of links to Help agencies in your county.

Find Your Legal Aid in Ohio By County or Zip Code (Ohio)

Complain About Bingo, A Charity or a Charitable Solicitation (Ohio)
The Attorney General’s Office investigates complaints about nonprofits, including:

  • Misuse of charitable funds.
  • Fraudulent fundraising activities.
  • Violations of professional solicitation standards.
  • Bingo and charitable gaming issues.
  • Nonprofit theft and embezzlement.
  • Breaches of fiduciary duty by nonprofit leaders.

Search For Rulings On Unfair, Deceptive or Unconscionable Acts Done by Ohio Businesses, Stores, Landlords, Etc (Ohio Attorney General)
Ignore all fields but their subject box, and choose a subject your issue relates to. Then click "SUBMIT" to Search records for similar violations done by that business or by any other business. And if the violation is something that has been previously addressed in an administrative rule or by any Ohio court, you may be able to recover three times the amount of actual damages or $200, whichever is greater. Topics include everything from Aeronautics to False Advertising to Food to Travel! Too Many Hits? Use your back button and narrow your results by also selecting a topic from the CATEGORY box.

Consumer Complaints Against Businesses (Ohio)

The Security Exchange Commission  
for complaints against firms dealing in investments and money management i.e. mutual funds, insurance securities based on variable annuities, and other financial transactions.

The National Association Of Security Dealers  
The NASD is an SEC mandated organization with the power to investigate and revoke the licenses of brokers and brokerage firms. See also Investor Protection-Your Rights 

To find out if an individual broker or brokerage firm has been disciplined by NASD state and federal governments, call their toll-free hotline at (800) 289-9999.  They'll also tell you if the firm or broker has lost a lawsuit or had to go to arbitration because of dubious conduct.

The New York Stock Exchange (212) 656-2523
Has the power to discipline member brokers and brokerage firms.

The North American Security Administrators Association 
Call any of the above organizations for their number. This trade organization may be able to put pressure on members who behave unethically.  They also offers a free copy of "The Investor's Bill of Rights" a booklet that shows how   consumers can better protect themselves.  

 Information On US & International Companies
Find the company behind the brand name, where they're located, their financial info, their officers, subsidiaries, who they advertise with, what media they use, and more.

Thomas' Food Industry Register can tell a company's name, address and phone number, the products it produces and the government agencies that regulate both the products and the company itself.

Call For Action (Non-Profit Consumer Advocate)

Find The Company Behind Textile, Fur & Wool Products (RN Lookup)
A registered identification number or RN is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission, upon request, to a business residing in the U.S. that is engaged in the manufacture, importing, distribution, or sale of textile, wool, or fur products. Such businesses are not required to have RNs. They may, however, use the RN in place of a name on the label or tag that is required to be affixed to these products.

Business Forms (Consumer-SOS)
State specific and general business forms for all occasions.

Find The AARP In Your State
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Find The SBA Office Nearest You (All 50 States & DC)

Find A Chamber Of Commerce (World Wide) 

National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
Businesses, The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.

See Find Or Background A Business (Consumer-SOS)

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Related Topics
Getting Refunds, Replacements or Repairs

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Misc. Legal

Forms (Consumer-SOS)

Ohio Legal Basics For Small Business

Consumer Sales Practices Act-Substantive Rules (Ohio)
OAC § 109:4-3-01 Addresses these consumer related issues.

Bad Check Laws (State By State Statutes For Each Crime)

Other Business Specific Legal Matters (Consumer-SOS)

Find Your City's Municipal Codes (All 50 states & DC)

Rominger Legal

United States Code
The Code Of Federal Regulations (CFRs)
Federal Law Database compiled by GAO for Federal Employees

Find Law

See State Courts & Court Forms (Consumer-SOS)

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Business Matters-Ohio