Trademark Protection: A Business Incorporation Resource Guide

The United States is known as “the land of opportunity,” and “opportunity” is epitomized very much with wealth and power, achieved most often by the pursuit of entrepreneurial business. America is built on the backs of businesses and corporations, which provide us with goods and materials necessary to maintain the industrial way of life to which we’ve become accustomed. There are many citizens who are content to work each day for the pay they earn from the labor they contribute. For others, however, the draw of owning their own business is strong enough for them to seek out ways to do so. Many owners then find themselves in a position to grow and develop their businesses into corporations. The following sites explain the formation of corporations, the benefits of being incorporated, and the benefits and disadvantages of such.

 Definition and Benefits of Incorporating

• Corporations | LII / Legal Information Institute: This Cornell University site defines the term “corporation” and explains how some states handle corporations.
• Corporations: Commentates on the power of corporations in America and provides links to sites associated with the finances of most major corporations.
• Multinational Corporations: This chart provides information on how a corporation becomes known as “multinational.”
• What is the Corporation?: This document, provided by Stanford University, goes into great detail about the history and organization of a corporation.
• What is a business corporation?: This definition specifies primarily the business corporation and how it differs from other kinds of corporations.
• Corporations: Explains the role of corporations in the pursuit of capitalism.
• B Corp: Better laws for business: Introduces the Benefit Corporation, or “B Corporation,” which allows for businesses who prefer to take a more socially responsible role can maintain their integrity in the corporate world.
• History of Corporations (United States): The history of corporations in the United States and the rules governing the earliest businesses.
• Taking Care of Business - Citizenship and the Charter of Incorporation: The dangers of corporations in a democratic country and the role of states and governments in business and corporations.
• A Short History of the Corporation: A history of corporate organizations throughout the Renaissance all the way to contemporary America.

 How to Incorporate a Business

• Frequently Asked Questions: This Washington State Corporate Division page explains the process of developing a business into a corporation, goes over the rules and forms, and even explains some of the most common reasons that paperwork is rejected.
• Corporations Division: Starting a Business: This Missouri site offers information on various kinds of corporations within the state and the necessary paperwork for each.
• State of California - Department of Corporations: This site offers to businesses not only the information necessary to form a corporation, but other articles and highlights involving businesses around the state.
• Converting Your Business Into A Corporation: The advantages and disadvantages of turning a private business into a corporation.
• Forming a Corporation in Massachusetts | Citizen Media Law Project: Steps to change a business into a “C” Corporation in Massachusetts, including choosing a name, assigning a director, creating bylaws, as well as many other important necessities to create the corporation.
• S Corporations: This site, maintained by the IRS, explains “S” Corporations and how to become a taxable entity under this code, as well as providing links to necessary paperwork.
• Converting Your Business LLC to Corporation: Explains what it takes to change a corporation into a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or an LLC to a corporation, and outlines the advantages of each.
• Checklist: Starting a Corporation - Small Business: A very thorough checklist for those wishing to start a business or corporation.

 General Business and Incorporation Resources

• The U.S. Small Business Administration | SBA.gov: This governmental site for small businesses provides all the information and answers necessary to start a small business, including securing necessary grants.
• Business Organization: This series of questions helps guide the future entrepreneur through all phases of deciding what business is right for him.
• Business Ethics: This article goes over tools to keep business ethical and socially responsible while maintaining a successful business.
• Resources - Frequently Asked Questions: This is a list of frequently asked questions of those who wish to start a small business in short, concise answers.
• Small Business Resources: This site is a treasure of resources in starting a business including links to start-up kits, census data, and federal agencies that may be of help.
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Resources: Articles and resources for business owners, from current events to things affecting the economy and much more.
• Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center: This government site provides links to every form and publication one would need when starting a business.

Sites such as those above become invaluable resources to those seeking to create their own businesses. Reading and studying examples of those who have gone before is always an excellent tool before jumping into any venture. There are many steps to be taken, many things to take into consideration before beginning a business, and before taking that business to the next step of corporation. Furthermore, when one decides to proceed with incorporating a business, they must decide what kind of corporation to create. Tax laws must be taken into consideration, and many other things looked at before deciding to start a business. The United States is most certainly built on the capitalism and success of businesses and corporate America.