European Patent Law

English: map of the European Patent Organisation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I just wanted to post up a fairly brief article where to start when trying to obtain a patent for a product or service. I also want to mention areas of European IP law that you should take into consideration when doing so.

Most, if not all Intellectual Property law firms will advise from the start in conducting patent searches in Europe. This involves looking at the online databases of the European Patent Office, which is a free service so it is well worth doing all you can here. The idea behind this is to research into other existing patents or applications that have been officially registered with the European Patent Office, one of the leading authorities in the field.

Carrying out such research can be quite enlightening in terms of judging the effectiveness and scale of patent you could potentially cover your product or service with.

It is important to know that patents can be enforced across a number of European states, so there is a very broad spectrum to take into consideration when applying for a patent, especially when you consider the sheer number of companies and business that are scattered across the continent. You can acquire a patent from national patent offices (i.e. UK Patent Office), or from a centralised patent prosecution process at the European Patent Office, as mentioned above.

If I were to go into full detail on every single area of legislation concerned with IP law then we’d all be sitting here squinting at the screen for the next few days. So if you want find out more detailed information on the topic get in contact with Withers and Rogers IP Law, either by email or phone.

You do not have to necessarily squat up on everything obviously, because there are professional law firms like Withers and Rogers that have the expertise already. However I would say, as with most things in life, it always helps to know at least a little bit about anything you’re involved in, as it may stand you in good stead throughout the process and potentially in the future as well.

The Do-It-Yourself Debt Management Plan

English: First 4 digits of a credit card (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Establishing your own debt management plan requires some time and energy, but it can be an effective and inexpensive solution to getting your finances under control. The following are some guidelines to help you get your plan up and running.

1) Figure out exactly how much your debt costs. To do this, you'll need to gather all the information you have about your debt and monthly finances, including your the total debt, interest rates, payments, living expenses, bills, and income, in one place, such as an Excel spreadsheet or other data management program. One of the easiest ways to get information about your debts is to check your credit report, which lists your complete credit history, including outstanding debts and those that have been paid. (Everyone is to a free annual credit report from the three major credit reporting bureaus -- TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.) When you review your report, make sure you check for inaccuracies and false information since incorrect information could be hurting your credit score. Once you've determined how much money you're earning in ratio to how much your spending, you can determine a monthly debt payment that fits within your budget.

2) Understand how your credit cards work. To effectively reduce and eventually pay off all your credit card debts, you need to understand how the little pieces of plastic work. This means analyzing the terms of your card, including the annual percentage rate (also known as APR) and late fees, and your monthly billing statement. Once you have a grasp on how your card works and you can call your creditor and ask if they are willing to negotiate your rate. If the company values your business, it will likely try to work with you to establish a rate. If not, take your business to another company that will.

3) Prioritize your bills. Once you understand how your credit cards work, and you've examined your other debts, determine which ones you need to pay off first, such as those with high interest rates. By paying off these debts you will increase you credit score, which in turn will give you more leverage to negotiate the rates on other cards.

4) Create a budget. Determine how much money you need for your monthly living expenses and bills, and then track all your expenses to figure out exactly how much you're spending. Make sure to account for each and every transaction so you can get an accurate picture of your spending habits. Often, just seeing how much money you're spending each month can help you figure out where you can save money that can be put towards your debt. For instance, say you get a weekly manicure that costs $30. If you opted to go every other week or do you own nails, you could save up to $120 per month that can be put towards your debts.

5) Pay your bills on time. If you've been making your payments late, getting back on schedule is one of the most important parts of your debt management plan since numerous late payments can lead to a negative mark on your credit report. You should also always try to pay more than the minimum amount due -- otherwise the majority of your payments will likely going towards the interest that's collecting on the debt.

About Zantrio.com
Zantrio was founded in November 2007. Our aim is to inform and educate the world about trading, investing, and personal finance. Whether you're an active day trader, a casual investor, or a college student looking to learn the basics of personal finance, Zantrio was built for you!

Life Insurance - A Wise Investment Option

If you're looking for a way to grow your money, let's come out right away and say it: life insurance is not meant to be an investment vehicle and should not be treated otherwise. However, many people use it as a way to supplement their investments and savings, because they like some features about permanent life that cannot be found with other money market funds or investment options. 

So what is permanent life insurance? And what do you mean by permanent? Is there another temporary sort of life insurance? Well, permanent life insurance is insurance coverage that lasts the insured person until the event of death, no matter at what age they die. All permanent life insurance policies have a cash-value component to them, which is the important part that counts for an "investment" as we know it. And is there such a thing as temporary life insurance? Yes, term life is many time cheaper than permanent life but lasts only for a certain number of years. So if the insured person lives past this period, term life coverage ends. It works just like auto or home insurance: if your car is not insured at the time of an accident, don't expect the insurance company to bail you out.

Why do some people not like permanent life insurance? The primary argument against permanent life is its steep fees and commissions pocketed by agents that don't mind pushing their agendas on to you. It is also a rather inflexible investment option, costing a lot in surrender charges to pull out your money should you decide you need it earlier. These surrender charges can be steep well into your tenth year of the policy, which some people can find very putting off. It also grows at a snail's pace, keeping in mind some of the other money market funds that grow at faster paces, but with plenty of risk attached. However, more people are turning to permanent life as a wise investment option because of finicky markets and risky economic conditions. While we still don't advocate using permanent life solely as an investment decision, it works great in combination with other investment vehicles. 

What is really encouraging about some permanent life products like whole life is that they've grown at the very comfortable rate of 4% all throughout the stock market crash of 2008. This can be construed as a wise investment to some people, who compare these yield percentages to government bonds and are amazed by the stark comparisons. What's more is that permanent life a great investment option for older folks is the fact that they can leave behind their death benefit amount to their beneficiaries or a charity of their choice tax free. Yes, that's right, tax free! (Free of federal incomes taxes, we should add. Some estate tax laws may apply. There are several complications around taxation, especially if your beneficiary is receiving interest payments as well on the death benefit amount, but for that, we suggest you consult a seasoned life insurance agent or financial adviser you trust).

There are some things you should be wary about before buying a permanent life policy. You may not be able to afford life insurance premiums on permanent life if you're struggling with getting the bills paid. Don't be without any life insurance coverage though-- get life insurance quotes at least for a simple no-frills term policy on an aggregator website to see how much it costs. For healthy younger individuals, the cost is only as much as 5 lattes in the month from Starbucks, so you may be able to afford life insurance cover after all. Also, if you're the kind that ends up needing emergency money every few years for a new flat screen TV or a new gadget for the car every few months, remember not to dip into your whole life policy. You've just got to have additional money being left over for such extravagant exploits. You can also allow your policy to reach "Paid Up" status using PUAs or Paid Up Additions. In this payment model, your cash value will automatically pay for premiums with the the interest it is garnering every year. There are several kinds of permanent life policies you can choose from, so do your research well.

For some people though, permanent life is never a good solution, so talk to an adviser that can recommend financial tools based on your overall portfolio. You can be a disciplined investor using other tools and means too, so weigh the options and pick the savings tool that's right for you.

Author Bio- Pat Cassidy is an industry expert on life insurance and a regular contributor to articles on various social media platforms in the field of his expertise. Having extensive knowledge of the way life insurance companies work and the underwriting processes used to calculate life insurance quotes, Pat writes articles to help readers better understand their life insurance options.

How to Automate your Monthly Payments

Every month, significant cash flow leaves your bank account to cover your fixed expenses. Most households have at least a dozen different bills to that they are responsible for monthly, including car and home owner's insurance, car payments, mortgage payments, utility bills, cell phone bills, home technology (phone, internet, cable) bills, credit card payments, and more.

Bills may come out at different times throughout the month, and keeping track of them all can become complicated. If a payment is missed or late, there are consequences:

• Interest charges and late fees
• Poor credit rating
• Cancelled services

In order to avoid these issues, there is the option of setting up bills with an automated payment option. There are different methods that this can be accomplished, for example:

• Setting up payments through your online banking system - if you use online banking, you have the option to setup automatic bill payments to go to any payee. You simply need to have a copy of your bill to ensure payments are made to the right account. You can generally select the date the payment needs to come out, and make it a recurring activity for as many weeks or months as required. You do have access to remove or change an automated payment of this type at any time. Paying your car insurance online, or any other bill using this method protects you from missing any payments when they are due.

• Setting up automatic payments with the vendor - some companies require that you setup automatic payments as part of the terms for providing you with a service. For example, your mortgage lender may require that you provide them with the details that allow them to withdrawal the payment amount from your checking account on a monthly basis. When you use this method, even if the amount of the bill changes, the full amount that is due will be withdrawn. There can occasionally be a charge for setting up payments through online banking, but having the vendor make the withdrawal does not typically come with additional fees.

• Pay bills with USPS eBillPay - the US Postal Service provides a service that allows you to setup all bill payees online. The monthly payment amount does not need to be fixed each month, as provided the accounts are setup correctly, the system facilitates the process of issuing payment. The USPS system can also generate e-bills. While vendors can also supply  e-bills, this service ensures everything comes from one place. The only catch is there is a service charge. The first 6-months are free provided you need to make less than 20 monthly payments, but after that it is $6 per month for up to 20 payments.

Your financial standing is important, and using these automated payment options can ensure that your bills are paid in full and on time.

Shared Office Space: The Incubator of the Internet Age

There was a time, not too long ago, when every business that dared to call itself legitimate had an office. This necessity created many of the images that we associate with business success today. Who doesn’t imagine the friendly secretary in the lobby, the coveted corner office, or the wood-paneled boardroom when they think about what it must be like to have a successful company? These are nearly universal images, but they have less and less to do with business now that the information age is reaching maturity. 

Many modern businesses don’t have offices, and more of them are being founded every day in coffee shops, libraries, and living rooms. An internet connection is one of the only barriers left between a merchant and a consumer, and the global recession has encouraged even large companies to re-examine what a traditional office actually offers them. There are several distinct advantages to abandoning office space.

First, there are very few communication problems left. Even the most complex teams can be easily managed with collaboration software, and these teams can now be located all over the world. Second, most interactions with both customers and clients will occur online, anyway. Finally, office space is a major expense considering both the previous points. It’s certainly too much of an expense for most start-ups that are still trying to get off the ground.

That said, there are many advantages that an office offers. Most significantly, it is a place for people with similar interests and expertise to connect and develop. The kind of spontaneous collaboration that happens in offices is hard to replicate when communication is done online. However, there is a way to capture the best of both worlds through shared office space.

Those who run internet businesses probably don’t have enough employees to make office space worth it. That doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy a space dedicated to work, and being around people who share the same interests and industries. 

What is Shared Office Space?

Shared office space comes in many different forms. Typically, when someone who owns office space has trouble renting the property whole, he or she will experiment with selling access to space within the office instead. Sometimes, businesses will end up with more space than they need, and try to use up the rest of the space by sub-letting it to other small ventures or individuals. Other times, the office space will be specifically designed so that it can be used as shared office space.

The result is the same. Many different people, affiliated with many different businesses, will end up enjoying the same office space. In most cases, only a few businesses will be represented. However, some offices will be shared between dozens of different people working independently on their own businesses. The shared office may be organized so that everyone has their own enclosed room, or as an open space where territory is only defined by the position of the desks.

This arrangement can sound very confusing to those who haven’t experienced it, yet. However, shared office space offers several serious benefits to the people who take advantage of it. 

What Benefit Does Shared Office Space Offer to Start-Ups?

There are several important benefits that shared office space offers to startups and other small businesses. For many people, shared office space is attractive because of the cost. Shared office space is very cheap, often only a fraction of the price of normal offices. This makes a huge difference in major hubs like New York and London. Most start-ups would not be able to have any space where they could meet people professionally if they were not able to take advantage of shared office space.

The most significant benefit of sharing office space is likely the opportunity it offers to meet forward-thinking people who are in the same industries. Many shared office spaces try to develop a “culture”. That is to say, they try to lease shared office space to people that share the same interests. Some shared office spaces are populated almost entirely be people who are running social media businesses. Others may be focused on accounting or finance.

It was never easy for small business owners to meet one another. It can be a very lonely life. Shared office space is one of the first modern developments to allow these business owners to meet and work with each other on a daily basis. Many people who have tried shared office space say it works like an incubator. It’s much easier to learn and develop in an industry when you are surrounded by people who share both your interests and your motivations.

It may not be easy to find shared office space where all the tenants are in the same industry as you, but it is at least easy to find shared office space all over the world. 

Where Can Shared Office Space Be Found?

Shared office space can be found in almost any major city, and it is also showing up in a lot of smaller towns as well. Shared office space can be found through traditional classifieds like those on craigslist, but there are also some websites that now specialize in matching people who want office space with those that are setting up shared arrangements. 

Should You Consider Shared Office Space?

Shared office space might be a good fit for you depending on your situation. If you only have a few employees, it can be a great way to save some money on full office space. If you are self-employed as the only person in your business, you may benefit from having a change of scenery and somewhere you can focus only on work with no interruptions.

You should also consider what you have to gain by meeting other people who could help you with your business. It can be very hard to find mentors and people who share your vision. Sharing office space could give you that opportunity.


About Simeon Howard

Simeon G Howard, born in Hampstead London, started his first business at age 21. By age 25, this serial entrepreneur had founded Your City Office Ltd, a Virtual Office and Office Space brokerage firm. Drawing from his past experiences, he and his partners have quickly built and developed one of the UKs leading organizations in this industry.

Related articles

• The Benefits of a Wireless Network in Your Office (50plusfinance.com)
• How to Make Money off Instagram (50plusfinance.com)
• The Importance of Serviced Offices in UK for Businesses (savealittlemoney.com)

Steps to Getting in Control of your Finances

For many people, personal finances are a worry - with credit card debts, the worry of mortgage repayments and fear that incomes will fail to keep pace with the cost of living. It's essential to be in control of your finances in these difficult times. We look at ways to stay ahead.

Assess the situation.

The first step to dealing with problem finances is to face up to them. This means taking a deep breath and adding up your debts, from all sources. Once you have done this, categorize them. If you have a mortgage debt, this is less of a concern because it is held against an asset; your home. However, you may still want to check that you are on the most competitive mortgage product that you are eligible for and that your repayments are affordable, as you can make substantial savings just by shopping around.

Personal debts.

If you have non-secured debts, these are your focus area. Non-secured debt is held in many forms; credit cards, personal loans, catalogue debts and overdrafts. They are called unsecured debts, because there is no asset held against them. For example, if you have a car loan - then it's against a car. If necessary you could sell this asset to recoup the loan, or part of it. However, credit card debts usually have no assets attached that could be sold to pay them off, especially if you have an unchecked spending habit.

Do a budget.

When you can see your debts on paper, work out your monthly budget. Assess your income and work out which bills you have every month. Go through your direct debits and see if any can be cancelled. Assess how much money you have after bill payments for your living, shopping, entertainments and other costs.

Decide on a repayment plan.

Your budget will show you where you can save money. Cancel non-essential services, shop around for better deals and downgrade your brands when doing the weekly shop. Set aside a sum each month to repay your debts bit by bit, starting with the most expensive. If you can't find income to do this, work out ways to increase your income or further reduce your outgoings.

Stay motivated.

Nothing feels as good as being debt-free and if you are working towards this goal, you will find plenty of support from national debt charities, online forums and other debt support groups. Seek help if you can't find a way out of your debt and speak to others with similar goals to you. As well as finding great sources of fellow support and motivation, you will start to identify ways of socializing and meeting new people without spending money. 

Once you can change your behavior patterns, switching shopping for new and absorbing hobbies and meeting friends with common goals, you will find new impetus and enthusiasm for your new objectives and be far less inclined to fall back into debt again. With planning, organisation and self-discipline, the freedom of a debt-free life can be yours.

AUTHOR BIO:
Jackie Graves writes regularly on personal finance, debt support and tools such as prepaid credit cards for a range of websites and blogs. She strongly believes in the ability to rebuild a bad credit score.