Business Idea - legal advice

pooch

Flyonthewall wrote: »

...
If a solicitor is the only way then fair enough. I was just hoping there were other options.

There is no other option if you ever wish/need to rely on the advice you receive.

Flyonthewall

Errata wrote: »

I think it's well nigh impossible for anyone to comment sensibly on something you're not prepared to be clear about.

How am I not being clear? I asked a question based on how to find out if what I want to do can be done legally and people are trying to figure out what I'm wanting to do as a business idea instead. I'm not being clear on my business idea, but do you know why? I don't want anyone to know it.

Ignore what the business idea may or may not be - it's not important for what I want to know. I do not want advice on the idea. I do not want comments on whether people believe the idea to be legal.

My question is simple. What company/person could help me find a legal way to go ahead with a business idea, if possible for free?

So far I have solicitor but I'm open to other options. I'm still curious about the New Enterprise Allowance scheme. I thought there would be some company out there who can help with business ideas.

Flyonthewall

pooch wrote: »

There is no other option if you ever wish/need to rely on the advice you receive.

Does that include the New Enterprise Allowance scheme?

imoneyop

Flyonthewall wrote: »

Does that include the New Enterprise Allowance scheme?

They are unlikely to be trained solicitors and aware of every element of the law - you will just get opinion.

If you want advice that you can later rely on in court (or sue the person giving it if it proves incorrect), then you are going to have to pay up for proper legal advice.

Flyonthewall

imoneyop wrote: »

They are unlikely to be trained solicitors and aware of every element of the law - you will just get opinion.

If you want advice that you can later rely on in court (or sue the person giving it if it proves incorrect), then you are going to have to pay up for proper legal advice.

Yeah, but would they contact a solicitor and help that way or tell you to go find the answer yourself and slam the door in your face?

How much would proper legal advice cost?

Cissi

Flyonthewall wrote: »

I can't afford to be paying for legal advice so are there any free options to finding out? Any companies that help out with business plans and would be able to work through ideas?

(my bolding)


I doubt it - companies generally need to make a profit somehow...


I agree with everyone else that you'll need to pay for legal advice. Why not phone up a solicitor for an initial chat - they may not charge you for a first brief conversation and you may be able to gauge from their reaction whether the whole thing is worth pursuing or not.

Savvy_Sue

But I'd say it's not just any solicitor the OP needs: if it 'might' involve patents, and does involve trademarks / copyright, then one specialising in intellectual property is needed, IMO.

You might get free help with a business plan, but that won't be adequate if there's a risk of being sued.

Flyonthewall

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

But I'd say it's not just any solicitor the OP needs: if it 'might' involve patents, and does involve trademarks / copyright, then one specialising in intellectual property is needed, IMO.

You might get free help with a business plan, but that won't be adequate if there's a risk of being sued.

Thanks. I don't think it includes patents. Just copyright/trademarks due to being used by the public rather than for personal use.

Only reason it's a problem is down to that - it wasn't a thought that clicked until I'd thought through most issues I'd have and how I'd make it work. If I could tell you the idea I'm guessing half of you wouldn't think of it as a problem, or at least not instantly.

There is no copying, modifying, using parts in my own product or anything like that. Good job I did think of this possible issue though :rotfl:

FatVonD

Is there no way you elaborate on what you are planning to do by giving a similar example without giving away what exactly your products or services are? Eg, I'm opening a coffee shop and I will be using Starbucks brand coffee, am I allowed to say it is Starbucks coffee?

colino

Contact Murgitoyds (or look up the CIPA database if they don't operate near you) and get the initial, free session with one of their reps. Patents, copyrights etc., aren't just there to prevent everyone from using someones IP, they can also be there to simply make sure IP is properly used and licenced.