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Showing 44 posts by Taylor A. Gast.

AI Legal Issues That Can Impact Your Business

Many businesses are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in a variety of innovative ways to improve productivity and to save time and money. According to a 2023 Forbes article (forbes.com/advisor/business/software/ai-in-business/), 1 in 3 businesses plan to use ChatGPT to write their website content while 97% of business owners believe it will help their business. Read More ›

Categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intellectual Property, IT Contracts, Technology

Risks Make AI Workplace Policies a Requirement

Using AI to Write at WorkArtificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming an integral element in the operation of virtually every business and organization. Read More ›

Categories: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Digital Assets, Employment, Intellectual Property, Privacy, Technology

Legal Insights Into Businesses Using AI

Legal Insights Into Businesses Using AI
Legal Insights Into Businesses Using AI

The AI Revolution is here! Startups across our region are using AI tools in innovative new ways. But could there be legal pitfalls you haven’t considered? Read More ›

Categories: Copyright, Cybersecurity, Did you Know?, Intellectual Property, Liability, Technology

Cybersecurity Month Serves as Reminder to Take Proactive Steps

Cyber attack preventative measureWhether you are the CEO of a big corporation working in the office six days a week or an analyst working remotely from home entering data, everyone is at risk of a cyber-attack. Despite the fact that all organizations, regardless of size, are at risk, few have preventative measures in place, or have even planned for how they would respond in the event of an attack.  Read More ›

Categories: Criminal, Cybersecurity, Technology

Michigan Launches “Afflicted Business” Grant Program

Businesswoman in Closed Café Due to COVIDNearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Michigan is continuing to design new programs to help support Michigan businesses that were negatively impacted by the pandemic and resulting economic shutdowns. Beginning March 1, 2022, Michigan will distribute up to $409 million under the new Afflicted Business Relief (ABR) grant program. Eligible businesses can apply beginning March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022. Grants are not first-come, first-serve, but instead may be prorated depending on the number of eligible businesses that apply. Read More ›

Categories: Financing, News, Sales Tax, Tax

Cybersecurity Impact on Small Businesses in Wake of Colonial Pipeline

In the wake of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, cyber attacks such as ransomware and phishing continue to be a major threat for all businesses, large or small. Even with precautions in place, it is not a matter of "if" but "when" a business will experience an attack. In the case of Colonial Pipeline, the hackers not only demanded and received millions from Colonial Pipeline in May 2021, but the resulting ransomware attack forced the company into a fuel distribution shutdown, making headlines across the country and causing gas shortages on the east coast. The attack also compromised thousands of individuals' personal information.  Read More ›

Categories: Cybersecurity, Did you Know?, News, Technology

Department of Labor Releases Employee Benefits and Cybersecurity Best Practices

IT manOn April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (“DOL’s”) Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) issued its first cybersecurity best practices guidance for retirement plans. The EBSA guidance has been highly anticipated as the frequency and cost of data breaches affecting employee benefit plans continues to rise. The EBSA guidance focuses on actions that plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record-keepers, and plan participants can take. Read More ›

Categories: Cybersecurity, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits

Maryland’s Digital Ad Tax: The Next Frontier in State and Local Taxation

Digital Kickstarter AdvertisementOn Friday February 12, the Maryland State Senate voted to override Maryland’s governor to pass a bill creating a tax on annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services in Maryland. Maryland’s digital advertising tax is the first of its kind in the United States. Read More ›

Categories: Sales Tax, Tax, Tax Disputes

Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Workers

With more employees working remotely for the foreseeable future, a resulting increase in spoofing and other hacking attempts is becoming a very common and real threat. It is imperative for a business to have the proper protection policies and procedures in place.

In the following video, moderated by Patricia Scott, attorneys Taylor Gast and Robert Hamor discuss ways to minimize risk and avoid disaster as more employees work remotely. This video touches on the recent rise in computer hacking attempts, along with a discussion on strategies to protect businesses and employees.

Click the thumbnail below to view the full video.

Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks VideoThis video is for general information purposes only and IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. If you seek legal counsel or need help in determining how this information applies to a specific situation, contact a Foster Swift business & tax law attorney before taking any action.

Categories: Compliance, Cybersecurity, Digital Assets

The Impact of PPP Loans on Mergers & Acquisitions

With the addition of new rules from the SBA (Small Business Administration), business & tax law attorneys Taylor Gast and Mike Zahrt discuss these updates regarding the impact of PPP Loans on Mergers & Acquisitions activity. Read More ›

Categories: Alerts and Updates, Compliance