A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Cybersecurity Laws in the U.S.
It’s difficult to keep up with all of the cybersecurity threats to your business. As news comes out daily about privacy and security breaches, legislators try to keep up.
There are a number of cybersecurity laws and regulations that you need to be aware of as a small business owner. You don’t want to be like one of the major companies hit with fines or lawsuits because you didn’t comply and were attacked.
What are the cybersecurity laws that you need to comply with?
Read on to find out the laws, regulations, and how you can protect your business.
Cybersecurity Laws and Regulations
The important thing to understand is that there isn’t one unified policy that governs cybersecurity. There are laws at the federal level. There are also laws passed by individual states, which can make it incredibly confusing.
On top of that, your particular industry may have specific regulations governing data privacy and international laws that impact how you collect and store data.
Main Street Cybersecurity Act
This is an act that was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in August 2018. The law doesn’t have any specific guidelines or regulations to comply with.
It’s only meant to give small business owners the tools and information they need to prevent and handle cybersecurity attacks.
Other Federal Laws to Know
For the most part, federal laws don’t have any real requirements to abide by. The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 is a voluntary program to enhance cybersecurity systems.
Other laws don’t impact small businesses, but federal agencies. For example, the Federal Exchange Data Breach Notification Act of 2015 requires the federal government’s health information exchange to notify people whose information was exposed.
If you are a contractor with a federal agency, you are going to have to comply with that agency’s data policies. You also have to meet the General Services Administration’s data regulations in order to work with the federal government.
State Laws
Since the federal government doesn’t have any hard requirements to manage security breaches, it’s largely up to states to pass legislation. Two states that have done so are California and New York.
California Consumer Privacy Act
California passed one of the most strict laws in the nation governing cybersecurity and data privacy. This law is due to go into effect on January 1, 2020. The state will offer a six-month grace period for companies to get into compliance.
Expect full enforcement on July 1, 2020.
What does this law require small business owners to do? Before you panic, it really doesn’t impact small business owners. It is only for larger tech companies that have over $25 million in revenue. About half of all revenue must come from personal data sales, which is usually advertising.
It’s loosely based on Europe’s GDPR regulations, which is designed to give consumers more control over their personal data floating around online.
Get Ahead of the Game
The good thing about California’s law is that it’s forcing other states and the federal government to address data privacy in their own jurisdictions.
The best thing you can do is put systems in place to comply with GDPR. That’s the General Data Protection Regulation put not effect by the European Union in May 2018.
What this does is give consumers the right to know what type of data is collected, how it’s used, and how it’s stored. They also have the right to ask for that data and have it removed.
You’re very likely to see similar stat regulations to protect consumers in other states and possibly the federal government. It would be wise to put systems in place to comply with GDPR now so you can be well ahead of similar regulations passed elsewhere.
Protecting Your Business from Cyberattacks
Even if you abide by all of these rules and regulations, you can still get hit with a cyberattack. Businesses have had to cease operations within six months of an attack.
Here are a few things you can do to protect your business.
Get Insurance
If you’re responsible for a treasure trove of data or you have a small business, cybersecurity insurance is a must for your business. Your general liability policy is unlikely to cover such an attack or loss of business because general policies tend to cover only physical property damage.
Cybersecurity policies range in scope and coverage. You can view here to find out more specifics about these policies and what they can cover.
Hire Hackers
Believe it or not, you can hire hackers to break into your systems. This will help you identify where security breaches are. These people are known as ethical hackers. They know the tips and tricks that hackers use to breach the most secure systems.
Have a Plan
You have to act with the assumption that a security breach will happen. As you can see from the various regulations and laws, you have to have a way to discover and report the breach.
Your plan and systems should be designed to protect your data, detect breaches, and act accordingly. You need to have a documented policy in place.
You should also document all of the steps taken to detect and secure any breaches. The documentation will help protect your business later on should there be any legal issues.
Stay on Top of Cybersecurity Laws
The world of cybersecurity is a confusing one. Not just from a technical perspective, but from a legal perspective as well.
You need to know the various cybersecurity laws or be subject to fines. You can’t say that you didn’t know and hope that holds up.
It’s ultimately your responsibility to know the federal, state, and international regulations that are passed and updated. It’s difficult to do because you already have so much on your plate as a small business owner.
If you need legal help, check out the directory to find an attorney who understands cybersecurity laws. That will ensure that your business is protected from a legal standpoint.
The Medical Ethics of Informed Consent
Most medical professionals take an oath before they begin practicing to promise to not do any further harm to their patients. Medical ethics is crucial to maintain an effective and helpful health care system. While sometimes deciding what the ethical choice may be, health care professionals must work to provide the best treatment for their patients. The ethical choice also might differ depending on which physician you ask. Many ethicists agree on four basic values to keep in mind when deciding on a medical ethics choice, which are autonomy, justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence. They must also look outside of their own personal values and keep in mind the values and wishes of patient’s and their families.
Medical ethics ensures that physicians will make choices in good conscience. In many medical cases and emergencies, a patient is not able to make choices for themselves, leaving their doctor to make decisions for them, keeping in mind what’s in their best interests. One of the most important reasons to uphold medical ethics is to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. A strong doctor-patient relationship can allow a doctor to provide better care for their patients.
Arguably the most important part of the doctor-patient relationship is the need for a patient to be able to trust their doctor. A patient’s trust in their physician is typically associated with better outcomes from treatment. Trust is needed for patients to effectively address their needs to their doctor, as well as for their doctor to listen to these concerns. Aside from medical results, it’s also important for everyone to feel well-cared for when they seek medical treatment. All patients have the need to feel comfortable receiving care from any medical professional. Trust is the foundation in any relationship, for the one you have with your doctor to the one you have with a motor vehicle accident lawyer.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is a necessary part of medical ethics. It’s also an important part of maintaining a healthy doctor-patient relationship. Informed consent involves a healthcare provider explaining the details of treatment, including the risks and benefits to their patients. When patients are given adequate information about their care, they’re able to make decisions for themselves if they’d like to go through with that treatment, consider other options, or turn town treatment altogether. In most cases, typically excluding emergency situations, informed consent is the law and permission must be given to provide treatment.
Importance of Informed Consent
Anyone without medical education can’t make well-informed decisions about their treatment on their own and require their doctor to aid them with this. Patients are often given the choice to either receive medical treatment or deny it. Minors are not generally considered to be able to make decisions regarding their medical care, but doctors still have a responsibility to keep informed about what their treatment entails. Those who aren’t able to make decisions for themselves will often have a court-appointed proxy who can act on their behalf to make it for them. When a person isn’t able to give consent, it’s especially important for doctors to act ethically.
Informed consent is needed most times a patient receives care, such as routine blood tests. While many medical procedures can save lives, they can also be extremely difficult and have the chance of reducing the quality of life for patients. For example, if a patient has a terminal illness, but treatment can be provided that might make the remainder of their life painful or difficult, they might understandably want to turn it down. Patients have autonomy and a right to be able to choose what happens to their bodies, and the only way they can properly do this is with the guidance of their physician. If doctors alone were able to make these life-altering decisions for their patients, people would often be subjected to pain and hardships against their will.
Without informed consent, a patient can’t fully be able to trust their physician. Communication needs to be open for a patient to truly receive proper care. Doctors also need to understand the importance of transparency in their conversations with patients. Information regarding treatment should be unbiased to allow patients to decide what is best for them. When getting consent, it’s important for a physician to truly care about educating patients and respecting them, rather than convincing them to hand over their signature. Medical ethics play a heavy role in informed consent when doctors need to act according to what their patients want, not what they would want if they were in this situation.
Are Your Valuables and Documents Safe? A Storage Vault Can Provide You with Peace of Mind
Do you own valuable property that you’re hiding around your house? Under your mattress? In the freezer? If you’re a gold and silver investor, a coin collector, own heirloom jewelry, or possess other valuable property such as antique guns and artwork, you’ll sleep better at night knowing these items are safely secured in a solid storage vault guarded by a well trained security team armed with cutting edge surveillance and IT support. In fact, even cryptocurrency or virtual currency requires more security than you might have imagined. Wise and seasoned money people know that one can never be too secure.
Storage vaults are secured in a highly secure warehouse, so they are protected from the outside elements and often have top of the line security. Before choosing a storage vault provider, ask about their security system and temperature control. They should have numerous security cameras in place as well as limited access to the vaults for authorized employees only with a system of procedures for securing valuable assets–even from employees.
For the business traveler, if you want access to your storage vault when you’re on a trip, many vault companies also provide secure delivery services to key locations around the world. This is a service you’ll definitely want to consider before selecting a storage vault company. Do you really want to leave these items in a questionable hotel safe after all the time you’ve spent securing them at home?
You’ve invested so much care in protecting these items through the years, and therefore, making the modest investment in protecting them is quite literally, a sound financial decision. The same care you take in selecting a financial lawyer should also be used in securing your private information. In fact, many business executives secure their corporation’s most important and private documents in storage vaults. The discretion and privacy of a storage vault is also an added benefit in keeping your most valuable data and possessions away from the prying eyes of competitors or modern hackers who seek data almost as much as hard goods in today’s black market.
With many vault storage companies, you can lease a small space or an entire vault dedicated just for you.. Armed with specially trained response teams, secure IT services, 24-7 surveillance using all the cutting edge technology, vault storage companies have access to security your home can never provide. Generally, these companies provide multiple layers of backup security and power generators in the event of power failures during emergencies and other contingencies–when your property is at the most risk. And let’s face it, how many of you have a security system like that in our private homes?
The layers of security a company can provide include dual key security, tamper proof seals, and obviously, owner verification procedures that make it impossible for anyone other than you to access your safe, vault, or safety deposit box. In addition, you can view, withdraw, or deposit your assets anytime, day or night.
A storage vault in Los Angeles with a solid track record of safety, security, and discretion is the first step toward protecting your family’s legacy possessions. Criminals want what you have. Competitors want what you have. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you’ve safeguarded your most prized valuables, prepared for their distribution through estate planning, and secured your most important documents by choosing a company with a solid reputation in your community.
Are Tattoos Legal in Italy?
In Rome both men and women are getting tattoos at Aureo Roma Tattoo & Gallery on a regular basis in the Italy’s largest city.
Are Tattoos Legal in Italy?
Tattoos are pretty much legal everywhere in the European Union as long as you are over the age of 16 in most places and 18 in others. In Italy you have to be at least 16 and must have written consent from both parents.
What are the Most Popular Trends in Italy?
Many Italians and those of Italian descent choose to get the Italian flag as one of their tattoos. Also, Italian scripted sayings are very popular as well. They have sayings such as “Your good actions should haunt the world.” And, “Freedom is pleasure and flight to freedom is victory.” Another popular saying is “Strength of character lies in being calm.” And don’t forget, “Life is beautiful.” Or, “Family is everything.”
As far as artwork and designs go, Italians tend to opt for the winged back, or horned emotions, while using vibrant colors and old world designs. Michaelangelo tattoos are a staple in Italian culture of course, while brothers like to honor each other with matching tattoos as well.
Are Tattoos Safe?
In this day and age most tattoo artists wear gloves and are very careful to sterilize all needles and working materials. Diseases like Hepatitis and HIV. These are both scary propositions and no one wants to deal with either of them. Tattoo shops are places where you can contract both of those diseases. However, it’s not that common in today’s world.
The safety standards of the tattoo industry have grown over the years. With a heightened awareness and overall common cleanliness, people aren’t so much at risk any more of catching a disease at a tattoo parlor. Tattoo artists make their living on not only being talented but being known as clean. Most of their business comes from word of mouth and if word gets out a shop or artist is not clean or responsible then he or she will be out of business very quickly.
There are studies suggesting that people with multiple tattoos have been more likely to contract blood borne pathogens although they didn’t factor in lifestyle which may be a more telling reason why people with multiple tattoos are more at risk. However it is a lot more common presently to have multiple tattoos which is becoming the norm all throughout Europe.
Steps to Increase Your Safety
The best thing you can do is be aware. Watch the artists take the new needle out of a sealed bag. Inspect the shop beforehand for its cleanliness too. Make sure the artist is washing their hands when putting on and after taking off their gloves. Also, only get a tattoo done in a licensed shop.
Could Poor Hygiene and Body Odor Fall Under Wrongful Termination?
Have you ever seen an episode of The Office? This iconic TV show often portrays how personalities clash in the workplace.
When employees congregate, it’s almost inevitable that some won’t get along. What happens when a co-worker’s poor hygiene or odor begins affecting your productivity? How should the office respond?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about body odors in the office.
Identifying Poor Hygiene Problems
Workplaces should be safe and inviting for all employees. When one employee’s bad breath or body odor offends another, what action should get taken?
Is there a body odor workplace law to seek advice from? Currently, there’s not.
The best course of action for an employee is to report the situation to their HR manager.
Wrongful Termination, Discrimination, and Harassment Concerns
HR managers must remain sensitive when dealing with these situations. Why?
Not all offending smells are a result of poor hygiene. Some odors are a symptom of a disability, which means they’re protected under law.
The Americans with Disabilities Act would protect an employee in this situation. HR would need to provide accommodations for the disability.
The main point is to distinguish where the offensive odor is stemming from. here are a few examples of what’s protected and what’s not:
- Odors from unwashed clothes: Not protected
- Odors caused by medications: Protected
- Odors caused by not wearing deodorant: Not protected
- Odors caused by medical conditions: Protected
A wrongful discrimination suit could arise if the employee gets fired for their odor.
It’s also illegal to create a hostile work environment by being passive-aggressive. Never try to placate employees by being overt with air fresheners.
Possible HR Solutions
So, what are some potential solutions for HR when informed about smelly coworkers?
First, identify what’s causing the problem. If personal hygiene is the problem, then refer to your company’s dress code policy. If the odor is disability related, then you’ll need to seek other options.
Work with the employee to create a reasonable accommodation. The solution may include a work-at-home office, or it could involve using perfumes.
How Can I Manage My Symptoms?
Have you ever gotten called out for being one of those smelly people at the office? Such labels can feel very demoralizing and hurtful.
If it’s hygiene-related, then you’ll have to work to correct the problem. Here are a few solutions:
- Try a new, scented laundry detergent
- Start using deodorant, cologne, or perfume
- Shop these e-liquids to reduce the smell of second-hand smoke
- Work on improving your self-care habits
Understand your rights when a disability is causing the problem. Consider what accommodations would work for you, and discuss them with your employer.
Know Your Rights and Boundaries
Poor hygiene, body odors, and other social faux pas are a sensitive topic to approach in the workplace. Employees need to know their rights, and HR needs to know how to cope with these issues.
Have you ever experienced working with someone with poor personal hygiene? On the flip side, do you suffer from a disability that causes undesirable odors? Tell us your stories by leaving a comment in the box below.
Information Security of Law Firms
According to numerous researches, law firms are practically not protected from theft and loss of confidential data. That is why the issues of cybersecurity in the legal sphere, as well as the interaction of lawyers with companies specializing in the collection of digital evidence, the prevention, and investigation of computer crimes using high technologies, are very relevant in the modern world. If you want to take care of your safety and anonymity on the Internet, then Bestvpnrating knows how to help you.
Digital negligence is a common problem for lawyers
Previously, in such a conservative profession as a lawyer, intellectual leadership was enough for success, now it is “vital” to use high technologies in practice. In the age of information technologies, it is vital to take care of information security, both with own infrastructure in order to protect advocate secrecy and its organizational support from principals.
How to protect your PC from external threats?
Every lawyer should know that due to the specifics of his work, he needs to protect his PC from the intruders from outside. Therefore, it is recommended to use the VPN protocol. But why does he need it, you ask? We have the answer to this question.
Why do lawyers need to use VPN?
First of all, you need to use a VPN to get a high level of Internet connection security, especially when sharing confidential information. The more switching points (routers, gateways, bridges, nodes) pass data – the higher the likelihood of their interception by hackers. Having the physical parameters of a PC or server (for example, its IP address) by means of vulnerable connection methods, hackers can penetrate it by hacking password protection. Even the operating system “Mac”, which is famous for its reliability, has weaknesses. But do not despair, because we know how to protect your Macbook.
Another reason why a private client needs a VPN connection is remote administration. If you want to protect the server as far as possible from outside intervention, you can create a “whitelist” of IP addresses which have access to it. When one of them (addresses) belongs to a private VPN server, you can safely connect to an administered server from anywhere in the world using an encrypted connection. The administration object will assume that it has been connected to form an authorized terminal, and the administrator may not be concerned about the risk of hacking.
Moreover, VPN protocols are in demand in commercial structures which work with funds and economic secrets. Virtual Private Network does not allow hackers to crack accounts or find out industrial secrets and technologies. Employees who need to gain access to the company’s network resources from home or on a business trip can establish a connection through a VPN without exposing the corporate network to hacking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we would like to say that choosing a VPN service must be approached responsibly if you are a lawyer who respects the secrets of clients and is concerned about the confidentiality of information. Currently, there are over 300 VPN services on the market. The choice is great, and even too much. Some VPN services are good in terms of security, some in terms of connection speed, and some simply are no good at all. After reading this article, you will learn how to approach the choice of a VPN service, considering for what purposes you need it, and most importantly, you will not waste your money.
5 Major Risks in Crypto-Currencies Investments
While investing, the risk is one of the top concerns which come to our mind at first hand. Since the crypto world is a recent discovery for most of the investors, relevant risks are crucial for understanding. Let me take the privilege to take you to the major risks involved in cryptocurrency investing activities.
Exit Barriers:
Crypto-currency has not related to Bitcoin only anymore. It provides you a wide range of options and ways to invest in. There are more than 1600 named crypto-currencies available as options to invest. It provides an easy entrance for the investors but on the other hand, exit barriers are there. Technology-based constraints and issues are crucial factors which can be performing as an entry barrier. Currency convertibility is a potential risk when you are willing to exit as crypto-currency is not in domestic use. Crypto-market is still waiting to witness the peak, it is not there yet.
The intangibility of Crypto-currencies:
Crypto-currencies are intangible and illiquid in nature. This feature enhances the other features as convertibility and insurability in terms of risk. Altogether, these characteristics are worrying for an investor. Till now, any significant measure has not been taken to mitigate the mentioned risks and grey areas. Security to the investors, comparatively with the market of trading, is the crucial thing to handle. Moreover, these risks are inherited with the nature of crypto-currencies and cannot be eliminated. It always takes time to gain the investor’s trust and interest anyhow.
Fraud and Manipulation:
Crypto-currencies in today’s world is riskier due to its digital, intangible, and tech-based nature. It can be an easy target for cyber manipulation and fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions have considered this risk and seem intended to take part in awareness campaigns to mitigate investor’s risk. They have created a fake ICO (Initial Coin Offering) website as an alert to the market. In addition, the assets which lack clarity are mostly the ones having decentralized regulatory image that is not in control of one party. In parallel, company based assets have an upper hand in gaining confidence for cryptocurrency investing.
Control Risk:
Asset security and control is another thing to mention when it comes to risk with crypto-currencies. The successful crypto traders and investors are going miles to protect their intangible money by using storage devices which are kept in physically secured places like vaults and lockers. This is not something which a normal investor can do easily. There can be issues with availability and affordability but it can be evaluated better in reference to the asset value.
Technological Risks:
The tech-based intangible asset contains technical and computational complexity as in bitcoin mining. It is one of the technological limitations which are correlated to complexity. It can vary with the type of crypto assets. This type of risk is inherited but it can be compensated with clear and less complex controlling system.
Should one go for the investment in cryptocurrencies?
There are many risks in cryptocurrency investing as we discussed but on a wider note, the risk is directly proportional with the return. According to professional advice, in search of a high return, you should go for the investment in crypto-currencies by covering all the corners that are mitigating major risks involved.
How to Sue a Hotel for Bed Bugs and Bed Bug Bites
You’re out on vacation and enjoying yourself. Taking in new sights and sounds is fun, although you feel tired at the end of the day.
You head back to your hotel room and lay down to rest for a while…only to be awoken later by small bites on your body. Much to your dismay, you have bed bugs in your room.
This is becoming more common, with 97% of bed bug cases occurring within the previous year.
Is there anything you can do? Believe it or not, it’s possible to sue. Learn more and see how you can handle this problem if you run into it on your next vacation.
Collect Proof of Bed Bugs in Your Room
If you’ve already gotten bed bug bites or you see them crawling around in your room, now is the time to collect proof. Start off by taking pictures of any bites on your body (or anyone else who is staying in your room).
Check out your bed, box spring, or bedding. Take note if you see any bugs crawling around, or even if you notice larvae.
Pictures or video are essential. Use a smartphone or any technology that allows you to take pictures (or video) and show proof that bed bugs are in the room.
Remove Your Belongings and Keep Them Safe
The next step is to remove your belongings from the bed bugs as quickly as possible. If you have anything in closets or drawers, take them out, comb through them, shake them out, and make sure there are no bugs in or around your items.
Get your items washed before taking them back home in order to kill the bed bugs. Once in your home, bed bugs can do significant damage, ruining your furniture and other items. It’s not uncommon for folks to throw out everything in their home if they’ve become infested with bed bugs.
Since you’re not trying to encourage further problems transporting bed bugs home or even on public transportation, such as a plane, it’s worth consulting with a professional to find out about the best course of action to take.
Contact the Local Department of Health and Hotel Management
Now that you have evidence and have your things in a safer place, it’s time to notify people about what’s going on. Start by contacting the hotel management right away.
They’ll want to know details, such as if you got bit, what happened, along with any proof you happen to have of the bugs. If necessary, escalate the problem to the hotel’s upper management (this might include calling the chain in some cases, if you’re staying at one).
Tell the hotel management you want a different room for the rest of your stay. Ask for any items that stayed with you in the room to get treated as well.
During this time, the local health department should make a visit, but you can also call them yourself if you’d prefer. Health departments take note of when there are bed bug complaints in the area.
As with any case that involves your health, keep careful records of dates, times, and who you spoke to about what matters. This can include hotel staff, the health department, and anyone who wants to talk to you about your situation.
Get Help From a Lawyer
Now that you’ve made everyone aware of your situation, it’s time to take charge by seeking help from a lawyer. Find one in the area and make them aware of the situation and what’s going on.
They can advise you of what steps to take, how long it can take for your case to go to court, and what you can expect if the hotel tries to settle out of court. Knowing this information and having a professional in your corner can make it a lot easier than trying to guess what to do next.
If you seek help from an attorney, the hotel will quickly realize that you mean business, and try to work with you and appease you as much as possible. Since bed bug cases vary based on injury and what happened, talk with your lawyer to get a better idea of what you’re entitled to.
Check out this info if you’re still seeking professional help.
Find Out If You Need Medical Attention
Bed bug bites can cause pain, irritation and even exacerbate skin conditions. If you’re not feeling well after your incident and you notice problems in relation to where you got bit, it’s important to seek a doctor’s care right away.
Doing so can prevent bigger problems from developing and ensure you’re in as little pain as possible. If you do need the care of a doctor, make sure to save all receipts and bills showing what treatment was needed, a diagnosis, and what you paid for.
This can get treated as a personal injury case, and you have the possibility of getting compensation for your health issues. If you’re trying to find the right lawyer to meet your needs, check out what to look for in a personal injury attorney.
Learn More
Dealing with bed bugs during a hotel stay can feel overwhelming and scary. By utilizing these steps, you can protect yourself and your belongings while seeking legal advice.
Did you get injured while you were out shopping and you’re wondering if there’s anything you can do about it? Check out our blog and learn how to handle yourself if you got injured on a shopping trip.
Steps to Take Immediately When Your Car is Stolen
Forty-three seconds.
Yup. Every 43 seconds, a vehicle gets stolen in the USA according to data from the FBI. That number is insane, considering all the high-tech security alarms in cars and cities armed with millions of CCTV’s. But, car thieves seem to adapt to new technology as fast as security experts can think of them.
We know losing anything to thieves can be traumatic and devastating. If your car vanishes out of thin air, take a deep breath and collect yourself. We’ve prepared a list of steps you need to do before you can utter a guttural cry of “why me?”
Following these steps can help you put things in perspective.
1. Make sure Your Car was Actually Stolen
Before you freak out and panic, make sure that your car is really missing! Think about where you parked. Was it a few levels up or down? Could you have stationed in a different building altogether?
Parking lots have numbered “zones” painted on the floors, walls, and pillars (A-5, E-17). There’s a real chance you may have just forgotten exactly where you parked. Ask building security if they can help you track your car using the security video feed.
Lastly, did you let someone borrow your car?
2. Maybe You Got Towed?
Illegal parking can lead to parking tickets and your car getting towed. If you did a little curbside parking and your car isn’t in a spot where you parked, check with the impound lot first before calling the cops.
By checking the local impound, you won’t have to fill out a police report, which saves everybody time.
3. Go to the Police
If your initial search fails and there’s no trace of your car, it’s time to report the incident to the police. Make sure you give the officer all the vital details of your vehicle and the event. You should be ready with your car’s VIN number, make, model, year, color and any unique identifying marks like a custom paint job or decals.
Taking your car’s documentation with you is a good idea and can save you extra trips to the police station. You should also try to recall everything that happened on the day of the car theft. The date, time, location, weather, the people you met, etc. are critical.
4. Call the Insurance Company
After filing a police report, you need to call your insurance company to let them know that your car is missing. Get your policy number ready and fill the insurance adjuster in on precisely what happened. What you reported to the police would do.
Try to recall anything valuable inside the car when it got stolen. Your wallet, phone, laptop, designer sunglasses, house keys, documents, checkbooks, etc.
What you get out of your insurance claim will depend on your coverage.
5. Be Proactive
Call your bank if your credit cards are missing and change all the locks in your house if you left your house keys in the stolen car. Go online and search for your car on Craigslist and other used car sites. There’s a small chance your vehicle ends up for sale on the internet because there are a lot of people who prefer to buy a used car. Just don’t confront or meet up with the suspects. Tell the cops what you found.
After taking all the steps outlined above, all you can do is sit back and let the authorities handle the case as car theft is common in the USA. Remember that when you report a stolen car immediately after the theft, the chances of recovering it are higher.
Oh, and you can utter a guttural cry now 🙂
How to Protect an App Idea: The Legal Steps You Can Take
How do you stop someone from getting their hands on your brain?
Cloned apps steal around 10% of an app developer’s userbase on average. Protecting your app idea can be an uphill struggle in a competitive and even unscrupulous marketplace. To achieve it, you need to know what tools you have at your disposal.
Here’s how to protect an app idea made simple.
Can You Copyright an App Idea?
The most basic protection that applies to any creative work is copyright. Copyright is automated and applies as soon as your work exists in fixed form.
But that last part is the key. Ideas are—in a word—worthless. You can’t copyright an idea.
For that, you need to “fix” your idea. In an app’s case, that means you need to start work on coding to make your app a reality. Once you’ve built your app in your app maker, your app will fall under copyright protection.
Even then, the basic idea of your app will never fall under copyright. Your copyright will only apply to the expression of that idea. So another app can’t use your code, assets, or content, but it’s free to exploit the same basic idea.
How to Patent an App Idea
Another method of protecting your app idea is through patents.
But patents are much more complex than basic copyright protection. As with copyright, you can’t patent an idea. You need to show how your idea works and also how it differs from all the previous ideas currently patented.
You’ll need to carry out a patent search to confirm your idea is unique. If you’re confident, you’ll then need exhaustive documentation of your idea. With that, you can submit a patent application.
There’s no guarantee your patent will pass muster. And even if it does, your patent isn’t immune to legal challenges. If an app is already doing what yours will do, patented or not, they’ll be able to challenge your patent on the grounds of prior art.
I’m Still Wondering How to Protect My App Idea
You may have noticed by now that protecting your app idea is pretty complicated. Patents are a high-grade solution for the simple act of protecting your work, and copyright can’t protect your idea until it exists in tangible form. So what can you do?
The truth is that, in most cases, copyright will be enough to protect your app—but only its fixed form, not the basic idea. Copyright will give you the power to legally challenge anyone infringing on your creation. Given the saturation and level of crossover in the app market, patents can be more trouble than they’re worth unless your app does something truly revolutionary.
How to Protect an App Idea Made Simple
How to protect an app idea isn’t always a straightforward issue. If you’re trying to protect your app, you need to remember that there are thousands of apps out there all trying to do the same.
Has someone infringed on your intellectual property? You can find a lawyer to help you fight your case.
