Business Law and Finance-Trademarks,Real Estate, Ethics

Section 1A local nightclub has just changed ownership, and the new owner, Bob, has contracted T&G
Consulting to help decide the direction the club will take. Based on the local music scene, it
would make the most sense to book either rock bands or country bands. The new owner is
aware that a competing nightclub is hoping to attract new customers while Bob’s club is getting
established. Bob is considering how he might trademark his business.
Bob submits an idea for a logo, and after doing some research, you realize that the logo might
already be associated with an existing business.
Part 1: Working in parallel, a coworker has also concluded that the proposed logo might be
associated with an existing business. The coworker, though, doesn’t think this matters, and has a
very limited understanding of the significance of trademark protection. Write an email to your
coworker, explaining why trademark protection is so important in business. Give examples of
past trademark disputes that are relevant to your client’s situation. (Here is a library resource
for help writing a professional email.)
Part 2: : After reading your email, your coworker designs a new logo for the client. In a brief
report, provide some ideas for how the client can acquire trademark protection for the new logo,
referencing any sources that you use. APA reference help is available from the References page
of the APA Guide.
Section 2
In the course of your employment with T&G Consulting, you have been introduced to the owners
of a local electrical contracting business, Power Electricians, Inc. During your first meeting, you
learn that the business is thriving and, as a result, the owners are in need of a larger commercial
space for their office, equipment, and trucks. They have been leasing their existing space for the
past five years. They are thinking about approaching their landlord and discussing with the
landlord the possibility of enlarging the space and renewing the lease. They are also entertaining
the possibility of looking for new commercial space to lease. A third option would involve the
purchase of a building and land for their growing business. You agree to consider this further,
and another meeting with the group is scheduled. Prior to the second meeting, you realize that a
significant amount of additional information is needed in order to provide Power Electricians
with a sound recommendation as to whether they should buy or continue leasing. Prepare a
series of questions that you will present to the owners at the second meeting that are designed
to elicit the necessary information. Explain the importance of each question, and why the
information sought by each question is necessary for the determination as to whether to buy or
lease.
Assume that the business owners decide to buy, and a large tract of land with a 3000-square
foot building has been identified as a possible site. A survey of the land is conducted, and it is
discovered that a trailer and small vegetable garden occupy a portion of the land. The trailer is
inhabited by a couple with two young children, and it is determined that the family has lived at
this location for a number of years. Your client (the owners of Power Electricians) apprises you
of these facts, expresses concern about what rights the family may have, and asks how this
might impact your client’s plan to use the area that is currently occupied by the trailer and
garden for parking. Prepare a memo to your client addressing the issue of adverse possession. In
your memo, be sure to explain some of the key considerations in determining whether the
family might be successful in claiming title, based on adverse possession, to the portion of the
property they’ve occupied.
Assume that a contract for the purchase of the real property is ultimately executed, and the
family has agreed to vacate the land. Your client has inquired about the type of deed that should
be prepared, and you’ve been asked to respond to their inquiry in an email. What would you
advise the client, and why?
Section 3
A local sports star has hired T&G Consulting for some advice, and you have been assigned to the
project. This athlete is in need of a consulting firm because he wants to start a sports business
and ensure there is no employment discrimination in his organization’s hiring practices. He
intends to send out a press release soon, and he wants to communicate a pro-active recruitment
plan.
You overhear a coworker of yours who is also working on the project say, “This is not an issue.
He is so well-known, everyone will want to work for him. He doesn’t need a plan for a diverse
and discrimination-free work environment.”
Part 1: You recognize that your coworker is mistaken. Compose an email to your coworker to
explain why a diverse and discrimination-free work environment is such an important issue,
describing legislation enacted by Congress to make employment discrimination illegal. Here is
a library resource for help writing a professional emails.
Part 2: Your client wants to ensure that all employees know he is committed to a diverse and
discrimination-free work environment. Design a code of ethics in regard to hiring practices for
his new business, offering specific details.
Part 3: Write a brief report on the various ways to create a diverse and discrimination-free
work environment. Clearly outline your recommended strategy. Describe what is expected from
management as role models.