Business Law

Operating a small business involves a number of legal matters, from naming your business, setting up your business' legal structure, to protecting your ideas. This small business guide provides a starting point for learning about business laws that affect all types of small businesses.

• Business Incorporaton
  Learn about the many ways to legally organize your business, from being a sole proprietor to forming an LLC.
• Choosing and Registering a Business Name
  Get tips on naming your business and learn how to register a business name with your state or local government.
• Licenses and Permits
  Get resources to tools to help you obtain all necessary licenses and permits for your business.
• Patents, Trademarks and Copyright
  Learn how to protect your inventions, ideas and intellectual property rights.
• Antitrust
  Read about fair business practices and antitrust laws.
• Bankruptcy
  Learn about the different chapters under which business can file bankruptcy and tax considerations.
• Consumer Laws
  Our Advertising and Marketing Guide provides information about how to comply with laws that protect consumers from unfair business and advertising practices.
• Employment and Labor Laws
  Our Employment Guide provides information about how to comply with the nation's labor laws.
• Environmental Law
  Our Environmental Compliance Guide provides resources that will help you comply with environmental laws that apply to air and water pollution and the management of hazardous waste.
• Tax Law
  Our Tax Guide provides information on obtaining tax permits (e.g., sales/use tax), filing your business taxes, and maintaining tax records.