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I have had people who have stolen apps without permission, who have then sold my apps (properties) without my permission. I need a lawyer to represent me as retaliate as well as when I contact big name tech companies concerning offers. I need representation to help me draft contracts as well as... View More 
answered on Apr 14, 2017
There are several attorneys listed on the Justia directory who would be able to help you. You should look for North Carolina attorneys with experience with copyright law, business transactions (licensing agreement and business entity formation), and civil litigation. You should contact 2-3... View More
The house was listed as having an electric fence on all 4 acres. It was one of the reasons I chose it. After we moved in I found out The mother board was defective and the line was not functioning. I have to replace everything brand new. Do I have any recourse?
answered on Mar 31, 2017
This will depend on the language in your contract of sale or other written agreements with the seller. Without that information, it is unlikely that an attorney will be able to assist you.
We told the landlord (in a dated email) that the smoke detectors didn't work when we moved in (Nov 2015) and they didn't install working ones until a month later but the lease states that they must be replaced within 15 days. Now, we want to end our lease a month early, can we argue that... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2017
Did you provide written notice that smoke detectors weren't working? That's the 15 day period you're talking about in NC Gen. Stat. Section 42-42. 15 days after receipt of written notification.
Here is a list of resources which suggests you might be entitled to rent... View More
I have a YouTube video with the old hit song "Harlem Shake" in it. However, I got an email today with someone claiming copyright of it. Now, the song is not mine (I sampled it), BUT the person "claiming" copyright is NOT the singer/owner of the song. Is there anything I can do?
answered on Mar 31, 2017
You can contact an attorney to assist you in defending this copyright claim. They will be able to tell you whether to investigate the claim, by requesting proof of ownership of the copyright, or to ignore the communication altogether.
Confirming the identity of the person/entity asserting... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2017
The appropriate entity to contact depends on the specific license required and where in the world you want to sell products. However, a good starting point would be to contact Warner Bros. Consumer Products, which seems to hold the license rights to Harry Potter. It licenses the rights to names,... View More
I want to hire a different illustrator on sequels for a picture book. Can the illustrator of the 1st book say the following: "The contract says I retain rights to the characters, so they are my characters and can not be reproduced by another artist. How much is the other artist charging you... View More
answered on Mar 23, 2017
Your first illustrator can say whatever s/he wants about your contract, but this answer will depend almost entirely on what your contract actually says. Contact an attorney with experience in copyright law and ask them about the specifics of that contract.
Our group published a 2 volume book in 1986, as fund raiser. We discovered today that someone, who has a cousin who owns a printing company, had their cousin reprint Vol 2 (the only one they had) and that person is now selling the book without our permission. We weren't even asked if they... View More
answered on Mar 15, 2017
Who owns the publishing rights?
If there was no written agreement assigning these rights and you co-authored the book with many people, each of those co-authors has the right to fully exploit the work. Absent an agreement to the contrary, each owner of a joint work is free to exploit the... View More
On this silicone bracelet I want to put the cancer awareness ribbon? Is that copy right infringement?
answered on Mar 14, 2017
Google "cancer ribbon trademark suit Komen." Copyright law isn't really your concern here, trademark infringement is. The Komen Foundation has previously sued other nonprofits for trademark infringement regarding their pink cancer ribbon.
When i hire screenwriter for a story that i have written before , am i gonna be related to that screenwriter in any way ..and how to hold the copyright to only myself .
Thank you
answered on Mar 14, 2017
The answer to both your questions depends on how you hire the screenwriter, that is, what the employment agreement between you and him or her says.
Consult with an attorney familiar with copyright law to safely achieve what you hope to do here.
Unknowingly, I sold a non-authentic hoodie to a buyer for the price of an authentic hoodie. He messaged me after we met up for the transaction saying it was a fake. I agreed it was. He is demanding I return him the money.
However, do i have the right to refuse? Nowhere in my item... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2017
The federal criminal laws that prohibit any person from trafficking in counterfeit goods and services apply not only to the counterfeiter—the law applies with equal force to any individual or company that knowingly sells a counterfeit product. The Act makes it illegal for any person to... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2017
Generally yes, this is legal. If your one year lease period has terminated and is now month to month, only 7 days notice is required. See if your lease agreement says something to the contrary.
North Carolina General Statute § 42-14. Notice to quit in certain tenancies.
A... View More
My yearly lease ended 3/16 and i have been living with my family there still month to month. Landlord was paid this months rent on 1st and sent my husband a text on Sunday 3/5 and said we need to move out by the end of March. Is this legal as we have 5 children in the house?
answered on Mar 7, 2017
Generally yes, this is legal. If your one year lease period has terminated and is now month to month, only 7 days notice is required. See if your lease agreement says something to the contrary.
North Carolina General Statute § 42-14. Notice to quit in certain tenancies.
A... View More
What are the possible ways for protecting a newly designed product from being copied in USA?
It is an LED light that has its own design and application. We don't want other companies/people to have an opportunity to produce a copy of our product and sell it in USA.
So right... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2017
Because my practice focuses on copyright law, I'll address that first: Copyright law does not protect ideas, processes, or functions; it protects the (artistic) expression of those elements.
An LED with its own design and application could qualify as a "useful article," which... View More
Their mother has moved to Fl. from NC to get her head on straight and attend school, and their father lives here in NC with the children. Their father is more interested in having a girlfriend and becoming a country rock singer than providing a stable secure home for the children. He is always... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2017
Donna, this isn't the answer you'd like to hear, but:
A court is extremely unlikely to award custody to a grandparent where a parent wants to retain custody and has not been determined unfit by the court (typically where the parent is incarcerated, addicted to drugs, or mentally... View More
I see alot of youtubers reading children's books online. How is that legal? Or how can it be legal?
answered on Mar 3, 2017
No, 17 U.S.C. § 107 does not allow you to post recordings of yourself reading children's books to Youtube.
However, just because this gives rise to a civil cause of action (basis for a lawsuit) does not mean that it will result in a lawsuit. The authors or owners of the intellectual... View More
Hi, I want to use the WordNet dictionary located here.
https://wordnet.princeton.edu/wordnet/citing-wordnet/
It's available available for commercial use
https://wordnet.princeton.edu/wordnet/license/
Is it enough to have something in the About section of... View More
answered on Mar 2, 2017
An attorney representing the commercial interest should review this WordNet license with respect to the intended use.
WordNet® is unencumbered, and may be used in commercial applications in accordance with the following portion of the license: "you agree to comply with the following... View More
answered on Mar 1, 2017
If you use an image of a cymbal, produced by someone else, in software you produce: Yes, you need their permission to use their image or you could face a copyright infringement action.
Do I have legal recourse/can I expect anything when I request it being taken down?
answered on Mar 1, 2017
It depends on whether the company commissioned the work or if you were an employee who produced this video in the course of your employment. This is known as "work for hire" and in those cases, the company would own the rights to the video. You wouldn't be able to assert any... View More
I write erotic fan-fiction and I'm in the progress of establishing a Patreon page. It's a site for creators where they receive support and donations from their fan-base. I've searched the past hour for answers to this and all I get is differing opinions. What I would like to know.... View More
answered on Mar 1, 2017
Fan fiction is generally considered derivative work, which only the original author may lawfully produce. So, you can definitely be sued for even producing fan fiction. Actively making money from writing fan fiction merely makes you more of a target for being sued, it's not a necessary... View More
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