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Robert Kost

Robert Kost

Online, On-Demand Legal Services for Start-ups and Small Businesses
  • Business Law, Intellectual Property, Communications & Internet Law ...
  • Pennsylvania
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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.

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
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    Fees are fixed price for both retainer and discrete services
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Maryland
Maryland Court of Appeals
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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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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • German: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
President & Lead Attorney
General Counsel Online
- Current
Partner
THEMATIX
- Current
VP Marketing and Business Development
Kinor Technologies
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Partner
Brand New Media Partners
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CEO
Portaga Inc.
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General Counsel
US Interactive
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Assistant General Counsel
Prodigy Services Company (IBM)
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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
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Education
University of New Hampshire School of Law
J.D. (1984) | Law
University of New Hampshire School of Law Logo
Bowling Green State University
M.A. (1982) | Philosophy
Honors
Bowling Green State University Logo
Kalamazoo College
B.A. (1978) | Philosophy
Thesis Honors; NCAA Swimming and Diving
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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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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
Science, Technology and the First Amendment
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
Websites & Blogs
Website
General Counsel Online
Blog
Lawgorithms
Legal Answers
43 Questions Answered
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. General Counsel Online provides a fixed price offering at https://generalcounsel.online.

I hope this helps, Andreas.
... 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.
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Contact & Map
General Counsel Online
116 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Telephone: (412) 419-1725
Monday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Wednesday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Reach us anytime online at https://generalcounsel.online