Creative Vision Legal

Open for Business
Offers Video Calls
Creative Vision Legal

Affordable, Reliable Legal Services for Small Business Owners and Creatives

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

Creative Vision Legal

Creative Vision Legal

Open for Business
Offers Video Calls

Affordable, Reliable Legal Services for Small Business Owners and Creatives

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

Firm Overview

Creative Vision Legal is a law firm offering online legal services tailored to artists, musicians, and small business owners looking for affordable yet reliable service and advice related to intellectual property rights or starting a business. Unlike many other online legal service websites, all services offered are performed by a licensed, practicing attorney. The firm delivers online legal services via a secure client portal utilizing end-to-end encryption where you can have questions answered, pay for services, and view, download, or upload documents in a safe environment.

The firm also serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area from a conveniently located office in downtown San Francisco that is close to all major transportation routes.

AFFORDABILITY AND EASY, SECURE PAYMENT
Creative Vision Legal offers flat-fee, transparent pricing for legal service packages at rates comparable to other online legal service providers, making its services affordable for artists, musicians, and small business owners. For other types of legal help not listed in the "Getting Started" section of the firm's website, reasonable hourly rates apply, and payment plans can be negotiated. Payments can be made in the firm's secure client portal via a trusted 3rd party payment processing company.
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Main Office

San Francisco Office
201 Spear St #1100
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone

(844) 285-4529

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

No; Nominal $50 consultation fee credited towards price of legal service package if retained.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Business Formations* LLC Formation: Single-Member LLCs $400; multiple member LLCs starting at $600 Single Shareholder Incorporation: $1000 Trademark Registrations*: $950 (one class goods/services) Copyright Registrations: $150 (plus gov't filing fees, which vary) Cease & Desist Letters & Responses: $350 *Prices include all gov't filing fees

Hourly Rates

$300/hour for all other legal services

Office Information
Intellectual Property

Creative Vision Legal offers flat-fee IP-related service packages, all including 30 minute consultations. The firm also offers comprehensive advice on trademark, copyright, and entertainment law issues, and contract reviews and drafting.

IP-related services packages include:

Trademark Registrations

Copyright Registrations

Intellectual Property Contracts (NDAs, Licensing Agreements, and Collaboration Agreements)

All flat-fee service packages include a 30-minute consultation.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

I have a passion for helping my clients implement and protect their ideas, and to see that the visions they have for their businesses and careers reach fruition.

When I set out to start my firm, I realized that many people were turning to do-it-yourself legal solutions online without the benefit of advice from a lawyer. I have unfortunately seen the aftermath of these solutions in questions from distraught consumers that I answer on legal forums, and sometimes from clients who come to me trying to find out what went wrong with a legal issue they tried to handle without a lawyer.

I chose to set my firm apart by offering legal advice with all of my service packages at prices comparable to non-lawyer legal service websites. I also understand that many small businesses, musicians, and artists can't afford the standard by-the-hour legal fee model, so that's why I offer transparent, flat-fee pricing for my service packages.

What experience or education distinguishes your lawyers from others?

I have an LLM in Intellectual Property law (the equivalent of a Master's Degree) that I obtained from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2005, with Honors. I have also represented a wide variety of creative individuals and small businesses over the course of a 13+ year legal career.

Creative Vision Legal
Michael J. Thomas

Summary of Accomplishments

* Received LLM (Master of Laws) in Intellectual Property Law, with Honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2005.
* Received J.D. (juris doctor) from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2000.
* Licensed to practice law in California since 2004 and admitted in courts of the Northern District of California.
* Author of "The OSYU v. Bikram Choudhury Copyright Case: Analytical Approaches to Fleshing Out a Paper Tiger," published in the Fall 2005 USF Intellectual Property Bulletin.
*Guest lecturer for the Metal Arts Guild on Copyright Protection for Works of Industrial Design & Jewelry, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA March 2006.

While representing my clients, I have:

Counseled co-authors of famous book series on partnership, joint authorship, and trademark rights, assisted in formation of LLC for new publication efforts, advised on continued LLC operations, and negotiated on their behalf in the formation of a mobile app LLC;

Assisted non-profit in acquiring rare statue molds, advised on copyright and contract issues, drafted sales contract, and secured copyright and trademark registrations;

Negotiated highly advantageous settlement against foreign cybersquatter that avoided UDRP proceeding;

Represented clients in cease and desist letter situations (both enforcement and defense), including a letter from a prominent video game maker regarding the novel issue of client studio's use of real-time video game graphics engines to create films ("machinima");

Assisted businesses in a variety of industries with LLC and corporate formations, drafted operating agreements and bylaws, and counseled on best practices to maintain limited liability status;

Registered copyrights for screenplays, software, musical compositions and sound recordings, a board game, business promotional materials, web sites, photographs, and jewelry designs;

Cleared and registered trademarks in a variety of industries (including the marijuana industry), counseled businesses on brand maintenance and trademark rights, and authored legal opinions on the same;

For film industry clients, reviewed production agreements, drafted director services and collaboration agreements, advised film LLC managing member on options for dissociation and assisted in withdrawal, registered screenplay copyrights, and performed clearance of rights screening of an independent film including preparing all licenses needed;

For music clients, successfully enforced band's common law trademark rights against foreign infringer, secured copyrights, drafted collaboration, assignment, and session musician agreements, advised bands on partnerships, drafted partnership agreements addressing multiple IP issues, and assisted band member in dissociation from a RUPA "default" partnership situation.

Creative Vision Legal
Michael J. Thomas

Summary of Accomplishments

* Received LLM (Master of Laws) in Intellectual Property Law, with Honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2005.
* Received J.D. (juris doctor) from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2000.
* Licensed to practice law in California since 2004 and admitted in courts of the Northern District of California.
* Author of "The OSYU v. Bikram Choudhury Copyright Case: Analytical Approaches to Fleshing Out a Paper Tiger," published in the Fall 2005 USF Intellectual Property Bulletin.
*Guest lecturer for the Metal Arts Guild on Copyright Protection for Works of Industrial Design & Jewelry, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA March 2006.

While representing my clients, I have:

Counseled co-authors of famous book series on partnership, joint authorship, and trademark rights, assisted in formation of LLC for new publication efforts, advised on continued LLC operations, and negotiated on their behalf in the formation of a mobile app LLC;

Assisted non-profit in acquiring rare statue molds, advised on copyright and contract issues, drafted sales contract, and secured copyright and trademark registrations;

Negotiated highly advantageous settlement against foreign cybersquatter that avoided UDRP proceeding;

Represented clients in cease and desist letter situations (both enforcement and defense), including a letter from a prominent video game maker regarding the novel issue of client studio's use of real-time video game graphics engines to create films ("machinima");

Assisted businesses in a variety of industries with LLC and corporate formations, drafted operating agreements and bylaws, and counseled on best practices to maintain limited liability status;

Registered copyrights for screenplays, software, musical compositions and sound recordings, a board game, business promotional materials, web sites, photographs, and jewelry designs;

Cleared and registered trademarks in a variety of industries (including the marijuana industry), counseled businesses on brand maintenance and trademark rights, and authored legal opinions on the same;

For film industry clients, reviewed production agreements, drafted director services and collaboration agreements, advised film LLC managing member on options for dissociation and assisted in withdrawal, registered screenplay copyrights, and performed clearance of rights screening of an independent film including preparing all licenses needed;

For music clients, successfully enforced band's common law trademark rights against foreign infringer, secured copyrights, drafted collaboration, assignment, and session musician agreements, advised bands on partnerships, drafted partnership agreements addressing multiple IP issues, and assisted band member in dissociation from a RUPA "default" partnership situation.

Firm Overview

Creative Vision Legal is a law firm offering online legal services tailored to artists, musicians, and small business owners looking for affordable yet reliable service and advice related to intellectual property rights or starting a business. Unlike many other online legal service websites, all services offered are performed by a licensed, practicing attorney. The firm delivers online legal services via a secure client portal utilizing end-to-end encryption where you can have questions answered, pay for services, and view, download, or upload documents in a safe environment.

The firm also serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area from a conveniently located office in downtown San Francisco that is close to all major transportation routes.

AFFORDABILITY AND EASY, SECURE PAYMENT
Creative Vision Legal offers flat-fee, transparent pricing for legal service packages at rates comparable to other online legal service providers, making its services affordable for artists, musicians, and small business owners. For other types of legal help not listed in the "Getting Started" section of the firm's website, reasonable hourly rates apply, and payment plans can be negotiated. Payments can be made in the firm's secure client portal via a trusted 3rd party payment processing company.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Main Office

San Francisco Office
201 Spear St #1100
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone

(844) 285-4529

Fees
Free Initial Consultation?

No; Nominal $50 consultation fee credited towards price of legal service package if retained.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Business Formations* LLC Formation: Single-Member LLCs $400; multiple member LLCs starting at $600 Single Shareholder Incorporation: $1000 Trademark Registrations*: $950 (one class goods/services) Copyright Registrations: $150 (plus gov't filing fees, which vary) Cease & Desist Letters & Responses: $350 *Prices include all gov't filing fees

Hourly Rates

$300/hour for all other legal services

Office Information
Intellectual Property

Creative Vision Legal offers flat-fee IP-related service packages, all including 30 minute consultations. The firm also offers comprehensive advice on trademark, copyright, and entertainment law issues, and contract reviews and drafting.

IP-related services packages include:

Trademark Registrations

Copyright Registrations

Intellectual Property Contracts (NDAs, Licensing Agreements, and Collaboration Agreements)

All flat-fee service packages include a 30-minute consultation.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

I have a passion for helping my clients implement and protect their ideas, and to see that the visions they have for their businesses and careers reach fruition.

When I set out to start my firm, I realized that many people were turning to do-it-yourself legal solutions online without the benefit of advice from a lawyer. I have unfortunately seen the aftermath of these solutions in questions from distraught consumers that I answer on legal forums, and sometimes from clients who come to me trying to find out what went wrong with a legal issue they tried to handle without a lawyer.

I chose to set my firm apart by offering legal advice with all of my service packages at prices comparable to non-lawyer legal service websites. I also understand that many small businesses, musicians, and artists can't afford the standard by-the-hour legal fee model, so that's why I offer transparent, flat-fee pricing for my service packages.

What experience or education distinguishes your lawyers from others?

I have an LLM in Intellectual Property law (the equivalent of a Master's Degree) that I obtained from Golden Gate University School of Law in 2005, with Honors. I have also represented a wide variety of creative individuals and small businesses over the course of a 13+ year legal career.

Creative Vision Legal
Michael J. Thomas

Summary of Accomplishments

* Received LLM (Master of Laws) in Intellectual Property Law, with Honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2005.
* Received J.D. (juris doctor) from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2000.
* Licensed to practice law in California since 2004 and admitted in courts of the Northern District of California.
* Author of "The OSYU v. Bikram Choudhury Copyright Case: Analytical Approaches to Fleshing Out a Paper Tiger," published in the Fall 2005 USF Intellectual Property Bulletin.
*Guest lecturer for the Metal Arts Guild on Copyright Protection for Works of Industrial Design & Jewelry, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA March 2006.

While representing my clients, I have:

Counseled co-authors of famous book series on partnership, joint authorship, and trademark rights, assisted in formation of LLC for new publication efforts, advised on continued LLC operations, and negotiated on their behalf in the formation of a mobile app LLC;

Assisted non-profit in acquiring rare statue molds, advised on copyright and contract issues, drafted sales contract, and secured copyright and trademark registrations;

Negotiated highly advantageous settlement against foreign cybersquatter that avoided UDRP proceeding;

Represented clients in cease and desist letter situations (both enforcement and defense), including a letter from a prominent video game maker regarding the novel issue of client studio's use of real-time video game graphics engines to create films ("machinima");

Assisted businesses in a variety of industries with LLC and corporate formations, drafted operating agreements and bylaws, and counseled on best practices to maintain limited liability status;

Registered copyrights for screenplays, software, musical compositions and sound recordings, a board game, business promotional materials, web sites, photographs, and jewelry designs;

Cleared and registered trademarks in a variety of industries (including the marijuana industry), counseled businesses on brand maintenance and trademark rights, and authored legal opinions on the same;

For film industry clients, reviewed production agreements, drafted director services and collaboration agreements, advised film LLC managing member on options for dissociation and assisted in withdrawal, registered screenplay copyrights, and performed clearance of rights screening of an independent film including preparing all licenses needed;

For music clients, successfully enforced band's common law trademark rights against foreign infringer, secured copyrights, drafted collaboration, assignment, and session musician agreements, advised bands on partnerships, drafted partnership agreements addressing multiple IP issues, and assisted band member in dissociation from a RUPA "default" partnership situation.

Creative Vision Legal
Michael J. Thomas

Summary of Accomplishments

* Received LLM (Master of Laws) in Intellectual Property Law, with Honors, from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2005.
* Received J.D. (juris doctor) from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA in 2000.
* Licensed to practice law in California since 2004 and admitted in courts of the Northern District of California.
* Author of "The OSYU v. Bikram Choudhury Copyright Case: Analytical Approaches to Fleshing Out a Paper Tiger," published in the Fall 2005 USF Intellectual Property Bulletin.
*Guest lecturer for the Metal Arts Guild on Copyright Protection for Works of Industrial Design & Jewelry, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA March 2006.

While representing my clients, I have:

Counseled co-authors of famous book series on partnership, joint authorship, and trademark rights, assisted in formation of LLC for new publication efforts, advised on continued LLC operations, and negotiated on their behalf in the formation of a mobile app LLC;

Assisted non-profit in acquiring rare statue molds, advised on copyright and contract issues, drafted sales contract, and secured copyright and trademark registrations;

Negotiated highly advantageous settlement against foreign cybersquatter that avoided UDRP proceeding;

Represented clients in cease and desist letter situations (both enforcement and defense), including a letter from a prominent video game maker regarding the novel issue of client studio's use of real-time video game graphics engines to create films ("machinima");

Assisted businesses in a variety of industries with LLC and corporate formations, drafted operating agreements and bylaws, and counseled on best practices to maintain limited liability status;

Registered copyrights for screenplays, software, musical compositions and sound recordings, a board game, business promotional materials, web sites, photographs, and jewelry designs;

Cleared and registered trademarks in a variety of industries (including the marijuana industry), counseled businesses on brand maintenance and trademark rights, and authored legal opinions on the same;

For film industry clients, reviewed production agreements, drafted director services and collaboration agreements, advised film LLC managing member on options for dissociation and assisted in withdrawal, registered screenplay copyrights, and performed clearance of rights screening of an independent film including preparing all licenses needed;

For music clients, successfully enforced band's common law trademark rights against foreign infringer, secured copyrights, drafted collaboration, assignment, and session musician agreements, advised bands on partnerships, drafted partnership agreements addressing multiple IP issues, and assisted band member in dissociation from a RUPA "default" partnership situation.

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.

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This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association. *

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.