API Agreements: Basics and Best Practices

API Agreements Explained API agreements refer to a contract or other legal mechanism by which the provider of one application programming interface ("API") grants access to its programming interface to another party. These parties generally include providers of software and/or web-based applications and service providers that integrate such applications into their own software and/or web-based applications. Software developers and providers….

Distinguishing Small Claims vs Civil Court: Essential Differences

What is a Small Claims Court? Small claims court is a specialized branch of the judicial system that deals with minor civil matters and is designed to be a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to the traditional civil court system. It’s generally used to resolve financial disputes that involve relatively small amounts of money. Each state has its own laws….

Phone Hacking Laws: Guarding Your Privacy

Introduction to Phone Hacking As the world becomes increasingly technology-driven, the security and privacy of personal data and communications have come under threat from new and sophisticated methods of interception. One such method is phone hacking. In its simplest terms, phone hacking involves gaining unauthorized access to an individual’s telephone line or message service to eavesdrop on conversations or voicemail….

Understanding the Law Against Animal Abuse in Indiana: All You Need to Know

Introduction to Indiana Animal Abuse Law Recognizing how animal abuse and cruelty are defined in the Animal Cruelty Statute is important for both prosecutors and judges. As such, it is important to understand Indiana’s animal abuse laws.Indiana’s Animal Cruelty Statute serves two main purposes: to protect domestic animals under human control from harm and to ensure that proper penalties are….

The Essentials of Business Law: Significant Texts and Pivotal Cases

An Introduction to Business Law The term "business law" generally refers to the body of law involved with private business transactions. It can be defined as a field of law that applies to the rights, relations and conduct of persons and businesses engaged in commercial activity. It is a broad field that covers all areas of commerce from the sale….

Subcontractors Need Business Associate Agreements Too

What is a Subcontractor Business Associate Agreement? Subcontractor business associate agreements are legal contracts that add a layer of protection to the data and electronic health information (PHI) that a contractor shares with its subcontractors. Like all business associate agreements, they formalize the relationship between a data holder and a third party vendor. These contracts additionally help contractors to meet….

Key Features Of California’s New 2025 Employment Laws

Summary Of 2025 Employment Law Updates As with preceding years, California has a number of new employment law changes set to take effect in 2025. New laws include an expansion to the mandated rest periods for nursing mothers, triggers for shareholders to vote on employee stockholder decisions, and details about workplace posters. As well, the new minimum wage rate will….

Legal Hold Basics: A Primer with Examples

What is a legal hold? A legal hold is a collection and preservation process used in law and information governance that protects information relevant to pending or potential legal matters. Litigants put a legal hold on their information on a particular subject so that it is not deleted during the data lifecycle before the matter has been resolved.Legal hold is….

Forbearance Contract Law: Key Considerations and Consequences

Forbearance Contracts: An Introduction In legal and financial terms, forbearance refers to the postponement of an obligation such as the repayment of a loan. For creditors and collection agencies, it is generally regarded as the "refraining from taking an action" such as the filing of a lawsuit. Forbearance may also involve a temporary postponement of the right to induce the….

Active Option Contracts Explained: A Comprehensive Guide

Active Option Contract 101 An active option contract is a legally binding document between two parties, an option buyer and an option seller, that outlines the terms related to an option, or property under option, that allows the buyer to exercise a right or not at the election of the buyer within a specified period of time. "Option" means "the….