Even though its unpleasant to consider, its a reality: sometimes partners and suppliers wind up in disputes. Make sure to attend todays session to learn ways to avoid the courtroom and, if thats not possible, at least improve your chances of winning.

Speakers will be Neil Ende and Greg Taylor, partners at Technology Law Group LLC.

If agents take the proper steps up front, they often can avoid legal problems, said Taylor. For one thing, make sure to have counsel that knows telecom inside and out. After that, be sure to have all appropriate regulatory approvals, clear agreements with vendors, and complete written records.

I wont say ever, but I dont recall being in litigation over paperwork we drafted, Taylor said.

Ende said some common issues that often result in disputes include not really understanding the distinction between being an agent and being a reseller, and a lack of clarity over who owns the customer (contracts almost always favor the carrier, he said).

Agents often think they own more than they own and that their rights are greater than they are, Ende said.

Should you find yourself having to go to court, you need to accept everything that comes with that, said Taylor. That includes the considerable expense. Court, Taylor added, is not a place for the timid and you need to be in it to win.

Technology Law Group LLC www.tlgdc.com