Legal resources for entrepreneurs

FSB -- Seeking legal advice can be costly. Get more out of your next conversation with your lawyer by doing some homework ahead of time. Here are some useful sites and articles to help you take a proactive approach to issues that often result in legal suits - so you can stay out of the court room.

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Plan now to preserve your partnership. This article from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) offers a useful list of details to cover in a partnership agreement.

Strategic alliances

"Zero to $1 Billion." This article from FORTUNE Small Business looks at the ways that small companies have used strategic alliances to grow rapidly, among other expansion strategies.

Intellectual property

Copyright, patent, trademark. The National Federation for Independent Business's toolbox covers key issues, from finding a patent lawyer to protecting yourself from accusations of patent infringement.

Protect your ideas. This series of articles from the Small Business Administration will help you identify what is unique about your product. It also answers common questions about protecting your innovations.

Ten steps to protect your great idea. This brief from SCORE will help you plan the steps you need to take to safeguard your idea.