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Florida Copyright Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Copyright for Florida on
Q: Hi, I’m currently making a collection of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) based on Nike’s popular line of Jordan and dunk.

The NFTs are going to be cartoon recreations /drawings of the Jordan and Dunk silhouettes. I was wondering if publishing and selling these would be legal.

Robert Kost
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Robert Kost
answered on Nov 29, 2021

I would suggest that the question is not so much whether publishing and selling the NFTs is "legal," but whether Nike can and would assert their legal rights (trademark and copyright rights) against you for doing so. The answer is probably "yes" to both.

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1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Florida on
Q: I want to start an animal rescue. How do I trademark the name or copyright it so no one else can use it?

Don't want to get sued if someone else uses the name either.

Thomas James
Thomas James
answered on Nov 14, 2021

A trademark is what you are looking for. In the United States, they are established through use in commerce ("common law trademark.") To protect your rights in it, though, you should register it. Trademarks can be registered with a state or a federal government office. Federal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: As a song author, how can I protect a song without having to initially copyright it?

Fees to copyright songs have risen greatly. While one can copyright a batch of songs (10) to save on fees I am looking for an alternative. As a song author, how can I protect a song without having to initially copyright it?

If the interest was to be had in a particular work I'd... View More

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Oct 22, 2021

Registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Florida on
Q: hi i was inquiring about if a patent is already out about something that i made at home then saw something similar to it

ear straps for a binky for babys attached to the side wholes of the binky. i would like to actually create something like this and see its already out but wanted ,ore information on it. i saw clips that you clip onto the binky but i was to have mine built in and mass produce. can you help me please?

Liliana Di Nola-Baron
Liliana Di Nola-Baron
answered on Oct 13, 2021

You will need to contact a patent attorney to determine if your product would infringe on a patented product. Perhaps the patent you saw has already expired or no longer valid, but there may be other patented products that you may be at risk of infringing. It is important to determine the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Copyright Infringement

A well known British singer living in Santa Monica. They are using my US copyrighted Office photographic images I took of them before they became famous in 1989 in music video's plus at least in 2 books and across all platforms. The image is also embedded in their music video which is all over... View More

Michael  Mayoral
Michael Mayoral
answered on Oct 5, 2021

You might have a claim for copyright infringement. I've handled a similar case in federal court involving the unauthorized use of photographs of models. You need an attorney to research the cause of action and make a formal demand, at the very least. I am very interested in the case. Feel free... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Florida on
Q: I registered a copyright for my book using my full name. Can I use my initials and my last name in print instead?
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Sep 4, 2021

Probably. You are probably confusing copyright with trademark.

You can use your name pretty much anyway you want

You need to consult an attorney

4 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Florida on
Q: I have a display patent from 1993 I'd like to know if there's some way I can update it ?
Stephen E. Zweig
Stephen E. Zweig pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 25, 2021

Sadly no. Patents typically have a maximum lifetime of about 20 years from the filing date. Although this can be adjusted a bit for delays at the USPTO, usually, the adjustments are only for a few months or years.

A 1993 patent era patent is likely long expired, is probably public...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Florida on
Q: Hello. Can I use the name "Mortal Kombat", without using any of the franchise's designs or font?

I am simply using the name for a recreational adult softball team. I do not have any copyrighted designs or logos, but I just want to know if using the phrase alone is illegal, if I put it on a jersey.

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Aug 24, 2021

Yes, you can use text only as trademark.

4 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Florida on
Q: Do I need a licensing/trademark specialized lawyer?

I'd like to open a DC comics-themed restaurant, do I need to buy a license from them, even though most of the characters are not listed for Hotels and Restaurants?

Adam Ira Skolnik
Adam Ira Skolnik
answered on Jul 17, 2021

Yes, as well as corporate and possibly tax. The characters, likeness and their use are currently owned by DC Entertainment which is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers etc..

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Copyright and Legal Malpractice for Florida on
Q: What does B.A.R mean? Lawyers are members, what does it mean? Why are you a member? I was told it is British!?

I need clarification, this site is called ask a lawyer, not ask google, what are you hiding or is that a part of the b.a.r (secret)?

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Jul 7, 2021

Did you try google?

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Copyright for Florida on
Q: Is a tweet (words or phrases, not pictures) public domain or does ownership automatically attach to the one who posts?

For instance a popular tweet such as a post by someone called @geraldinreverse: "well, well, well, if it isn't the consequenses of my own actions."

It got almost 300K likes and 140K retweets.

Is that phrase owned by @geraldinreverse or can I print that phrase on a shirt and sell it?

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Jun 2, 2021

Depends

Consult with an attorney

You are referring to copyright

There are requirements related to copyrights such as innovation and creativity, and also the scope or size of creation

It is likely that what you indicated does not fall under copyright, maybe under...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright for Florida on
Q: Good morning. I have a company Mabruk Fusion Foods and the owner of Mabruk Mediterranean Food Says I Can't Use it. Why?
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 20, 2021

Probably because they think it's an infringement on their right to their trade name. Why don't you ask them?

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Florida on
Q: If I put an image of rick and morty on a shirt for school prerallies, is it copyright.
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on May 18, 2021

Yes it is

And you are violating it and they can sue you

If you want to show that image, buy a licensed shirt

consult with an attorney

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Florida on
Q: Can I use “Lucky 13” in clothing prints

I was thinking of using the words “lucky 13” for some clothing designs and just wanted to be sure not to step on anyone’s toes by doing that.

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on May 16, 2021

You need to consult with an attorney and search for potential of conflict

Best luck

Marcos

Q: If there was a youtuber whom read poetry from other poets and got paid for it, could he/she be sued?

They aren't passing off the content (poems) as their own. They are just reading it in a ASMR fashion to make money.

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on May 4, 2021

What is copyright infringement? As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner. Since you use the poem in a way that you are making... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Public Benefits and Social Security for Florida on
Q: Can I sue my lawyer for "withdrawal is failure to cooperate in good faith?"

I have been working with my lawyer for 1.5 years, and just as my disability retirement case is in the final stages (which looks like it won't be a winner), they decided to withdraw as my lawyer because they say I am not cooperating in good faith. Basically, the lawyer wanted me to submit my... View More

Elizabeth Fowler Lunn
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Elizabeth Fowler Lunn pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 5, 2021

I’m sorry you had a negative experience with your attorney. Hire another attorney to handle your disability case if you don’t want to represent yourself. The issues with the forms from the doctor may have caused a problem with your case or it could be a the whole set of records don’t support... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Florida on
Q: Is there someplace in Fl. that I can get my lyrics copyrighted or do I need to do it online? If online, where do I turn?
Anthony Santangelo
Anthony Santangelo
answered on Feb 24, 2021

Hi There!! A copyright is technically created the moment artistic expression is reduced to a fixed medium. To register your copyright see the government site https://copyright.gov/ which is very informative.

Good Luck!!

Q: Can I file for a patent to improve a product on the market?
Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Feb 6, 2021

Yes you can. However, depending on whether your improved product falls within the original patent you may need a license to the original patent to sell a product. If your improvement is a kit to upgrade the original product then you may be ok. Lots of details and nuances. Best bet is to talk... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Florida on
Q: What ways are there to have custom container holdings a persons feet that can be inserted in between 2layers of silicone

I want to be able to have a pocket for each foot to fit into (like a shoe) made of a silicone material that can fit in between 2 layers of silicone that looks and works like a Mermaid tail. Such as a mono fin or Flippers that are connected and require a swimmer to use both feet at once, unlike... View More

Liliana Di Nola-Baron
Liliana Di Nola-Baron
answered on Jan 9, 2021

I suppose you are asking whether you can get a patent for your product or conversely, whether your product could potentially infringe another patented product. A patent attorney can do a patentability search on your product and review patented products to provide you with an opinion on both these... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Florida on
Q: How can I renew a trademark that expired on July 2020?

Reef Chicks is registered to an ex co-owner of the company. I need to renew the trademark and have the owner name changed.

Bernard Samuel Klosowski
Bernard Samuel Klosowski
answered on Dec 1, 2020

A petition to revive an abandoned registration might be an option, but there are time limits involved. A revival petition must be filed no later than 2 mos. after the expiration notice (so that seems to have been September based on your July date). But if the registrant didn't receive the... View More

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