1. 10% corporate tax rate for business profits;
2. No withholding taxes imposed on dividends, interest and royalties for non-residents (whether a company or an individual);
3. Income from dividends is exempt from income or corporation tax;
4. The attractive platform and tax regime that Cyprus provides for a holding company (i.e. subject to certain conditions full exemption from local taxation in respect of dividends received by a holding company from its local and foreign subsidiaries);
5. The attractive platform and tax regime that Cyprus provides for international trusts;
6. The network of favorable double taxation treaties that Cyprus maintains with more than 40 countries including Russia and most of the ex Soviet Union Republics;
7. Tax advantages available to non-residents including non - E.U. residents;
8. Cypriot tax regime permits losses to be carried forward indefinitely;
9. The geographic location of Cyprus, located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa;

One of the mentioned above factors is a double taxation treaty between Russia and Cyprus, which provides to Russians many tax advantages. Agreement was signed between Russia and Cyprus for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital, back on 17 August 1999. The treaty provides for either the exemption of income in the source country or the provision of tax credit in respect of the foreign tax paid by the country of tax residence.

Usually, Russian companies would pay 35 percent tax on profits, plus a 20 percent VAT tax, and a 40 percent tax for social security and employee benefits, in Russia. However, when Russian business is structured in a way that a Cyprus company owns it (which does not require any physical presence in Russia), all its profits will be legally transferred to Cyprus and is liable for only a 4.5 percent tax on profits and a 15 percent VAT tax. Russian business escapes the 40 percent tax for social services, accordingly. This tax advantage makes it possible to channel profits in the form of dividends at a reduced rate.

As for example, a Cyprus Holding company can be used for international investment purposes. Basically, it is use of the tax incentives and the treaties for the avoidance of double taxation. The most important advantage of a Cyprus Holding Company is that the dividends received by the foreign company can flow totally tax free in Cyprus through the Holding Company, avoiding in this way the payment of any tax on dividends. Furthermore, payments made to non-Cyprus Resident Shareholders there is zero (0) withholding tax, so the Shareholder receives the dividends absolutely tax free.

Payment of interest on loans is another advantageous method for Russian businesses. Under the Cyprus Law, Russian Company partly owned by Cypriot Company and paying its interest on loans to the Cypriot company, effectively minimizing its taxation. However, the interest payments are not necessarily will be paid to the Cyprus Company. It is the most effective method which allows Russian company to avoid almost all its tax payments.

Russian businesses which structured into a Cypriot companies for maintaining its business activities within territory of Russia, are able to transfer there revenue earned in Russia abroad in the form of dividends and interest, at considerable tax savings. Companies registered in Cyprus jurisdiction pay lower taxes than those paid in Russian jurisdictions.

All the above mentioned structures are based on “Cyprus economic zone ” of reduced taxation and perfectly legal, furthermore its tax advantage may be enhanced even more when, under certain circumstances, is combined with other jurisdictions in appropriate legal structures.

In the last 30 years Cyprus Law Firm has developed into a reputable international business and financial centre due to the very favorable tax regime that the island offers. The admission of Cyprus to the European Union as full member in May 2004, established Cyprus as a prestigious, stable and attractive jurisdiction.

Though the offshore company status was abolished as from January 1, 2003 the favorable tax regime for the international investor has been maintained. In addition, the liberalization of investments coming from non-EU countries and the abolition of maximum and minimum participation percentages in investments in all the sectors of the economy in October 2004 (unless it is otherwise provided by the Law), has transformed Cyprus into a major destination for the location of international, holding companies and worldwide investments.

Contact:
Ioannis John Neocleous, NCI Law Group
info@ncilawgroup.com
T: +357-22-680670

Author: Ioannis John Neocleous

NCI Law Group is an international law firm founded by Ioannis John Neocleous that serves the needs of businesses, governments, non-profit organizations and individual clients around the world. Ioannis John Neocleous leaders in Cyprus Law, Cyprus Company Registration, Cyprus Lawyers etc. Contact Ioannis John Neocleous for any query regarding Legal Services.

Marketers and consultants across the nation are invited to nominate lawyers for the Rainmaker of the Year Awards, sponsored by the editors of Originate! - the monthly business development newsletter, and judged by LSSO - the Legal Sales and Service Organization.

 “We want to recognize the lawyers who have geared up to bring in business and applied themselves to make it happen. And we want our readers to learn from those who have been particularly successful this past year,” said Editor-In-Chief Barry Schneider,

Winners will receive a handsome award, be publicized in a nationally-distributed press release and be interviewed for articles to be published in Originate! and on the LSSO website.

The newsletter is now soliciting entries for the Rainmaker Awards from lawyers, firms, marketing specialists, recruiters and consultants, in six categories:

1.     Associate

2.     Small firm lawyer (30 or fewer lawyers)

3.     Partner – transactions

4.     Partner – litigator

5.     Woman Lawyer

6.     Diverse Lawyer

Law firm marketers and marketing consultants are encouraged to submit an entry on behalf of a top rainmaker they know in one of these categories, and self-nominations are also welcome.  There is no entry fee this year. The deadline for submissions is Monday, July 21, 2008.  Entry forms are available online at www.pbdi.org/originate. 

A panel of independent judges with expertise in legal business development has been assembled by the Legal Sales and Service Organization (LSSO):

• Martha Fay “Marty” Africa, Managing Director of Major Lindsay & Africa consultants
• Gabe Miller Esq., General Counsel of The Law Offices of James Sokolove
• Catherine MacDonagh, Esq., President of LSSO.

The judges will determine the best of the best among the submitted entries.

“With sales and marketing now so critical to the careers of individual lawyers and the vitality of law firms, we know how important it is for the best to be recognized and share what they do,” said Beth Cuzzone, a co-founder of LSSO, who is the Director of Business Development for Goulston & Storrs in Boston.

More information on the contest, as well as the entry form, can be found at www.pbdi.org/originate

ABOUT ORIGINATE! — Originate! is an independent online business development newsletter for lawyers is found at www.pbdi.org/originate. The paid subscription newsletter offers practical advice to lawyers: how to get new clients and generate more revenue. Originate! has assembled firm leaders, rainmakers and consultants to publish case studies of successful lawyers, specific techniques to boost marketing results, how-to’s, and market insights.  First published in 2007, the co-editors of Originate! include Barry Schneider of Dallas, TX, Larry Bodine, Esq., of Glen Ellyn, IL, and Michael G. Cummings of St. Charles, IL.

ABOUT LSSO – The Legal Sales and Service Organization, based in Boston and found at www.legalsales.org, is the legal profession’s only organization exclusively focused on sales, service excellence and process issues in law firms and legal departments.  Founded in 2003, LSSO delivers the education and resources that lawyers need to improve their sales and client service skills with a searchable library, exclusive research, tools and information for members only, LSSO’s RainDance Conference, LSSO’s Process Improvement Certification Programs and the Thomas H. Lee Award for Service Excellence. Catherine Alman MacDonagh, Esq. is the association’s Co-Founder & President.

For further information please contact Originate! co-editor Larry Bodine at 630.942.0977.

1. A Company Name is not a Trade-mark.

A company name is the legal name under which a company carries on business. However, unless the company name is used as a trade-mark, it cannot be registered under the Canadian Trade-marks Act. For example:

• Acme Insurance Ltd. markets life insurance under “Goodlife Insurance”. “Acme Insurance Ltd.” is the company name, “GoodLife Insurance” the trade-mark. “Acme Insurance Ltd.” is not used as a trade-mark, “GoodLife Insurance” is.

• Acme Insurance Ltd. markets life insurance under “Acme Life”. “Acme” is part of its company name, but it is also used as a trade-mark to distinguish its insurance policies from those of other insurance providers.

The important point here is that the registration of a company and the registration a trade-mark are two distinct processes. Federal and provincial company offices do not search the Trade-marks Office database to determine if a proposed company name is a registered trade-mark; nor does the Trade-marks Office search federal and provincial company offices to determine if a proposed trade-mark is registered as a company name. The two processes are unrelated, and the trade-mark must be registered separately.

2. There’s no Requirement to use a Trade-mark before Registering.

Many companies believe that they must commence use of their trade-mark before registering it. In Canada, as in many other countries, trade-marks may be filed on the basis of “intention to use”. An application which is filed on this basis must specify the products and services that the company intends to use in association with the trade-mark. Once the application has been filed, the company generally has three (3) years from the date of filing to file a Declaration of Use confirming the use of the trade-mark in association with the specified wares and services. The Declaration of Use may be filed anytime within the three (3) year period, but must not include any products and services that have not been used in association with the trade-mark.

3. Search before Using a Trade-mark.

It is always advisable to conduct a trade-mark search before commencing use of a trade-mark. This will ensure that the trade-mark does not infringe another trade-mark and will avoid the wasted expense of such things as advertising and labeling.

A trade-mark search may be conducted through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office Trade-marks database by inserting the trade-mark in the search text box and selecting the appropriate search field. If the search does not reveal an exact match, a secondary search should be conducted based on such factors as the elements of the trade-mark (where, for example, the trade-mark comprises more than one word), different spellings of the word(s) comprising the trade-mark and the sound of the trade-mark. This is referred to as a “comprehensive search” and is advisable to ensure that the trade-mark is not confusing with a registered trade-mark and therefore unregistrable.

4. Some Trade-marks are not Registrable.

Not all trade-marks are registrable. Among the trade-marks that are not registrable under the Canadian Trade-marks Act are:

• trade-marks that are clearly descriptive of the character or quality of the products or services,

• trade-marks that are deceptively misdescriptive of the character or quality of the products or services,

• trade-marks that are clearly descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of the origin of the products or services,

• trade-marks that are the name of the products or services, and

• trade-marks that are confusing with a registered trade-mark.

There are a number of tests which have been developed by the courts which are employed by the Trade-marks Office in determining whether a trade-mark is registrable. In general terms, however, where an application for registration of a trade-mark falls within one of these categories, the trade-mark will not be registrable.

5. International Classifications Don’t Apply.

Products and services which are used in association with a trade-mark must be described in ordinary commercial terms. In many countries such as the United States this is done by using International Trade-mark Classes. The International Trade-mark Classes are categorized into 45 classes, Classes 1-34 relating to products and Classes 35-45 to services. Canada does not use this system and therefore trade-marks must be described in ordinary commercial terms for Canadian filing purposes.

For example, Class 32 refers to “light beverages” which are enumerated as: “beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for making beverages”. For Canadian filing purposes, the wares “non-alcoholic beverages” require further specification, for example carbonated drinks, colas, energy drinks, sports drinks, drinking water, fruit-based soft drinks, fruit juices, hot chocolate, milk, non-dairy soy, coffee or tea.

6. Copyright may reside in Trade-marks and must be Acquired.

Where a trade-mark is in the form of a design, the design will be subject to copyright protection, as well as trade-mark protection. If a trade-mark owner retains a graphic artist to develop and design a trade-mark, the trade-mark owner should obtain all rights to the design, including the ability to make changes to the design. This is generally done by means of a simple contract known as an “Assignment”.

In Canada, copyright need not be registered as rights to the design arise at the time of creation, which provides the copyright owner with remedies for copyright infringement at common law. These remedies are additional to the remedies that the trade-mark owner will have under the Canadian Trade-marks Act.

Timmis Law Corp specializes in helping you to perform a trademark search and to register a trademark in Canada.

TYPES OF DRUG OFFENSES

Drug offenses like growing marijuana in personal house or land against the law, sale of cocaine, trafficking, sexual assault, robbery, theft of vehicle, murder e.t.c. are there in the society.

DRUG OFFENSE IN US

The drug offense is common in almost all the countries but it’s at par in US. If anybody is found victim of drugs he or she is charged with severe punishment. If a person is Drunkard and is driving his car he is put into the jail or is fined with a large amount of money. His driving license is also suspended at least for one month. But where is his personal life and his feelings? What is his fault if he drinks in the party? He doesn’t have the driver to drive his car. In such a condition he has none other option to drive himself.

Mostly the people are innocent. They come in the grip of the criminals due to their innocence. Criminals fully utilize it. They carry the business of import and export of these illegal commodities through these innocent people. They kept the packet of cocaine or smack in their cars or bags. The police caught them and send them to jail without any investigation. They get into this offence because of their innocence.

Let me give you one example. Once a girl arrive an airport the police arrested her because she was carrying illegal substance like cocaine in her bag. She was continuously admitting that she is innocent but police threw her into the jail.

The US government punishes according to the quantity of the Marijuana grew in a house. For example if the Marijuana found is less than 50 kg the victim will be given punishment about 5 years or fined $250,000. It’s not only that the punishment and fine will be doubled for the repeat offenders.. Penalties are according to the quantity and the no of offenses.

Cocaine trafficking and its possession results in a big punishment. But the business of cocaine is always carried by the procedure of seizing. It is often seized in pillows, in toys, in sofas and many other objects. Common people are unaware of it and become a victim.

A person should be aware of all the laws of drug offense. Otherwise he may risk his life.
He must remain careful all the time and should check his vehicle, bag or any other object which he is carrying. In addition to this he must know the names of popular lawyers who can save him in such a condition.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE CHARGED WITH DRUG OFFENSES IN US?

As from this reading we came to know that US is at the top in drug offense. Being a victim of drug offense is a very bad experience of one’s life. One must wish to come out of it. If you want to come out of it go and hire a lawyer .But always keep one point in mind the lawyer must be experienced and will be ready to be with you during your case, than only you can come out of it. Punishment to the drug offenders is severe in US. The offenders are expected to be sent to the prison and also to pay heavy fines. Authorities like FBI, DEA may investigate at any time.

If you are charged with any drug related crime you must not go into depression. You must know the following:
1. About the law of drugs related crime.
2. Punishment which you can receive.
3. Also about the criminal defenses.

Just give no comments and call the criminal defense. There are some criminal defense companies who can save you from all these penalties. You can take help of these companies online also. They inform you all the time about your case. They fully concentrate your case. While investigation you must not speak to the authorities without your attorney because it will lead your case to the worst side. The winning of the case depends on the winning aptitude of the attorney. The lawyer must have full knowledge of the drug crimes.

A person indulges in any anti law activity just because of the prevailing circumstances. Either he deliberately does the crime or does the crime due to mistake.
A person kills anybody in an anger or dispute.
Once a person was going somewhere with his friend in a train. On the way a dispute among them occurs. In anger one of them kills the other person. He didn’t do the crime deliberately. In the similar way there was a person who was very poor, don’t have money for the treatment of his mother and also to fulfill the basic needs of the family. In order to meet all these requirements he shakes hand with the criminal.

Crimes in US are categories as under:
1. Federal Crimes
2. State Crimes

Federal crimes:

1. The drugs related crimes like-growing of marijuana and selling of drugs
2. Medical related crimes
3. Fraud in credit card, insurance, bankruptcy e.t.c.
4. Immigration and
5. Smuggling e.t.c.

State crimes:

1. Drug crimes- sale and possession.
2. Theft crime.
3. Alcohol and license crime-Driving or boating under the influence of alcohol or driving without the license.
4. Sex crimes– prostitution, child abuse e.t.c.
5. Violent crimes –kidnapping, robbery, assault, bribery, corruption e.t.c.

Crimes are held due to mental tension, depressions or under stress. If you are in the shackles of any of the crimes the first step you must do is to hire a defense   attorney so that you may come out of the situation.  There are so many criminal defense attorneys in United States from whom you can take help. But the condition is that you should have perfect and clear knowledge about an attorney who is going to assist you in the case. Your attorney must investigate about your case personally. Attorney must be fully aware of your case. Things will go positive if he always keeps in touch with you and informs you about the weak and strong points of your case. You also work according to the guidelines given by the attorney. Only then the best outcome can be achieved. The cases of the criminals are represented in state court and in federal courts. The cases in both the courts are serious matter. The winning of your case depends 100% on the attorney you hired.

During investigation by the state or the federal government you must refer to your attorney before giving any statement and do accordingly. DEA, FBI, IRS are some of the investigating authorities. Attorney who is looking after your case must be experienced in handling case in both prosecutions. While choosing an attorney one must keep in mind the following points:
1. Well qualified in laws.
2. Bold and confident while in court.
3. He should be a great actor in order to gain the favor of the jury and to convince him about his client’s innocence.
4. Has handled and won such type of cases.
5. Capable to find clues and facts.
6. Attorney must be honest with the clients.
7. Friendly with detectives, police, and other lawyers.
8. Lawyer should be bold and never be afraid of threats.

According to information obtained from ministry’s officials, a circular letter on Tuesday was sent to all land registry offices indicating the end of the sale of real estate to foreigners.

The related verdict of the Constitutional Court will come into effect from Wednesday.

The law does not restrict foreigners who already own property in Turkey from selling it to Turkish Citizens.

A total of 63,085 properties have so far been sold to 73,103 foreigners, with German, British, and Greek citizens being the leading purchasers of Turkish property.

Foreign investors’ annual real estate purchases amounted to $3 billion for the past three years, accounting for about 8.5% of the current account deficit.”We believe that the government will take this issue seriously and is likely to pass the necesssary legislation through the parliament. However, the timing remains uncertain and the impact on the financing of the current account deficit should be negative in the near term,” Raymond James Financial said in a research report on Wednesday.

Commentary

There are good and s a f e property investment opportunities in Germany with a stable legal system and without damage by past property hypes like Ireland, UK or Spain.

Uwe Falkenberg

In Part 1 of “Real Estate Investment, Pre Acquisition Phase - Information Gathering” I have shown why this is one of the most difficult phases with far reaching impact on the entire outcome of a Property Investment. Based on your Investment Philosophy, the Property Market Research and the findings from your project related information gathering you have first shifts in the ranking of your pre-selected property. This second part of the article series will help to further determine which property would be the right choice.

I will provide some sources of generally available information about properties and the area they are located in, e.g. rent tables. They are used to determine if the property is at its prime rent level or even at risk of being over-rented in the current property market. Is there a possible upside on the income side or has the property been set up for a sale by incentivized renting to produce high rental income? As an example Berlin is used as the local market with the highest relevance in Germany. In other regions and cities in Germany there is similar information available.

Uwe Falkenberg, the author is a Berliner and successfully active in the German property market for more than 25 years. Experienced as project manager, developer and head of the German Business for a UK based property consultancy he now owns and operates Berlin Portfolio Ltd. His international background and local expertise is an ideal combination for an international investor.

For Property Search we recommend Properties in Berlin.

Germany and especially Berlin were the European Property Hotspots of the last 2 years with many private investors buying properties. Some investments were made under time pressure or without thorough knowledge of the contractual situation in Germany. This has led to a need for services to resolve the issues arising out of these investment decisions.

Not all properties are performing as was promised in the exposé. There is a wide variety of reasons why this could be the case.
Some examples:

• Incorrect information at the purchase (most frequent occurrence);
• Pressure pre-sale renting with incentives and collapsing results a short period after sale;
• Non-performing property management.

It will be part of the review to determine the reason or most likely combination of reasons for the failure of the property investment to deliver the planned results.

Our Service

We apply various approaches to get to the bottom of the issues of non-performance. Where applicable we check for claim opportunities against the vendor with a forensic approach.

At the beginning of a Performance Improvement Review stands a Property Health Check. We apply our proven check lists and deliver an Opportunities Report that covers areas like rent level, cost management, vacancy management, maintenance etc.. Based on the opportunities and their respective value potential on one side and the estimated time to achieve first results, “Quick Wins”, we then agree an action plan to achieve

Property Performance Improvement.

To avoid the purchase of non-performing properties we recommend a structured Pre-Acquisition process.

Uwe Falkenberg, the author is a Berliner and successfully active in the German property market for more than 25 years. Experienced as project manager, developer and head of the German Business for a UK based property consultancy he now owns and operates Berlin Portfolio Ltd. His international background and local expertise is an ideal combination for an international investor.

For Property Search we recommend Properties in Berlin.

This is the best way to keep track of teenagers, wife/husband, business partners or significant others who show signs of straying. And, with a little ingenuity, you can even use this spy cell phone software to perform surveillance on acquaintances and strangers.

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The advancement in mobile phone surveillance has taken a massive leap in technology and we are very proud to announce a whole new range of fantastic features. TSH technology utilises the most powerful software applications for remotely monitoring an individuals mobile phone activities from ANYWHERE in the world. We offer software solutions that will turn any phone with Symbian® operating system into a high end surveillance device. We are manufacturer and distributor of all products on this web site. That’s why we can offer low prices, excellent software quality and the best service. 

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The spy software and features available here are the end result of an extensive beta testing program eliminating the need for any hardware applications whatsoever. The technology is time tested and is being used by users around the world. There are no bugs in the software and it has never crashed phones nor has it ever damaged any user settings. Using 100% software based technology we are genuine suppliers of THE most powerful and trace resistant spyphones on the planet. 

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In addition, unlike our competitors, our spy phone software do not require any active Internet (GPRS) connection. Your sensitive data will not be stored on 3rd party servers. By using our software, you can be sure that you are the only one who controls the target phone.

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