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Biography
Attorney Robert Kost works for technology start-ups and growing small businesses in a wide variety of areas (see website for comprehensive list).
Robert has decades of experience in corporate law and practice on both sides of the attorney-client relationship. He is adept in a broad range of law related to businesses, contracts, corporate formation, policy and intellectual property.
See what my firm, General Counsel Online does for business people. https://generalcounsel.online.
“My goal is to provide the kind of ongoing advice that will keep your business out of lawsuits and out of the courts.” - Robert Kost.
Education
- University of New Hampshire School of Law
- J.D. (1984) | Law
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- Bowling Green State University
- M.A. (1982) | Philosophy
- Honors
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- Kalamazoo College
- B.A. (1978) | Philosophy
- Thesis Honors; NCAA Swimming and Diving
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Professional Experience
- President & Lead Attorney
- General Counsel Online
- - Current
- Partner
- THEMATIX
- - Current
- VP Marketing and Business Development
- Kinor Technologies
- -
- Partner
- Brand New Media Partners
- -
- CEO
- Portaga Inc.
- -
- General Counsel
- US Interactive
- -
- Assistant General Counsel
- Prodigy Services Company (IBM)
- -
- Legal Analyst
- U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment
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- Intellectual Property Law and Technology
- Judicial Law Clerk
- United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire
- -
Publications
Articles & Publications
- Cybersecurity Incidents are Legal Incidents Chapter (from #HACKED2: Practical Guidance for Dealing with Threats to Your Business and Privacy)
- 10-10-10-Publishing
- Should Your Business Apply for a Trademark?
- General Counsel Online
- Using Open Source Software in Your Business
- General Counsel Online
- When Should Your Business Register a Copyright?
- General Counsel Online
- Intellectual Property Rights in an Age of Electronics and Information
- Office of Technology Assessment - US Congress
Speaking Engagements
- Interview with General Counsel Online, Pittsburgh Technology Council, Techvibe Radio Show
- The Challenge of Everyday Law for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, What and Why First: Live Interview on LinkedIn
- Blockchain in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Digital Transformation, Systematic Business Transformation, Center for Digital Transformation, Pittsburgh, PA
- Intellectual Property Rights, Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Certifications
- Certified Business Architect
- The Business Architecture Guild
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Pennsylvania # 327969
- Member
- Current
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- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Technology and E-Discovery Committee
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- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Legal Technology and E-Discovery Committee
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- Business Architecture Guild
- Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Maryland
- Supreme Court of Maryland
- -
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- Pennsylvania
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- ID Number: 327969
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- Federal District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
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Fees
- Free Consultation
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Credit Cards Accepted
Fees are fixed price for both retainer and discrete services
Practice Areas
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Intellectual Property
- Communications & Internet Law
- Internet Law, Media & Advertising, Telecommunications Law
- Trademarks
- Trademark Registration
Additional Practice Areas
- Licensing
- Leases
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
- German: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. I want to start a business and have legal questions.
- A: One response is "just do it." But a better answer would be to form a business entity, such as a corporation or a limited liability company, to protect your personal assets from exposure to business liability.
- Q. I have a specific question about copyright and trademark registration for a game studio.More details below.
- A: Hello Andreas,
From your description, it sounds as though Trademark Law is more relevant to your objectives. Copyright is concerned with what might be called "content" -- for example, your website or the games the studio might create.
Trademark law is specific to each country. So, registering in the US with the US Patent & Trademark Office confers only US rights. However, there is a European Union Trademark that protects your mark in all member countries of the EU. Although a US trademark is enforceable so long as it's in use, the initial period for an EU trademark ends in 10 years and it may be subsequently renewed.
Costs of Trademark registration vary widely. ... Read More
- Q. I am a wellness consulting company and I would like to know what are the basic terms outlined in a business contract?
- A: You can begin to understand the basic components of a contract here:
https://www.contractstandards.com/public#contracts
Choosing among clauses, authoring the right clauses, and assembling a contract that makes sense for you is the job of an attorney. It is a skill and an art, and is based on a lot of hard-earned knowledge. It is a cost of doing business and I know of no pro bono resources.
Social Media
Videos
About General Counsel Online
About General Counsel Online
LAWGORITHM: Data Breach Reporting
This Lawgorithm explains the requirements for reporting a breach of personal information in computer databases. If your business maintains or manages personal information, you will want to understand what your...
LAWGORITHM: Registering a Copyright
When Should Your Business Register a Copyright?
LAWGORITHM: Should You File a Trademark?
Should your Business Register a Trademark?
LAWGORITHM: Using Open-Source Software in Your Business
Open Source Software Licenses and Your Business
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