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Questions Answered by Karima Gulick
3 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Michigan on
Q: Can I patent a formula for a hair product I’m creating for a celebrity?

I currently create a hair product for a celebrity that I created and cook in my kitchen. I package it and send it and she applies her label to it. Can I patent the formula just in case she wants to buy it, how do I know how to price the formula? She has ingredients, not the specific formula... View More

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Jun 9, 2020

As attorney Mlynek stated, you can patent a formulation for a hair product.

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: There was a show in the 70’s of people dancing. How can I go about using a piece of the show for a music video?
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Dec 15, 2019

The safest way to approach this is to locate the owners of the video and request permission or license the content for use.

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New Mexico on
Q: I sell rustic wood pallets. If someone tells me to carve the dallas cowboys logo on one is it copyright infringing?
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Dec 15, 2019

Since you're selling these for profits and not using them for personal use, you might get into trouble for trademark and possibly copyright infringement without the appropriate licenses and permissions from the trademark owner.

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, International Law and Trademark on
Q: Walt in a domain name?

I am an artist and been thinking about buying a domain name "walt" as it is my own name, for my personal artist website and brand. However, there is lots of companies named Walt and obviously Walt Disney. Will using that domain name get me in trouble or is the trademarks only affecting... View More

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Dec 15, 2019

Is it just Walt in the domain name? Is there more to it? I recommend doing a search to make sure the trademark or variations of the mark are not owned by someone else in your field and related fields.

2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for California on
Q: Is the patent on the locking system or the way it fixes to the support bar? Or on the actual design of the bag?

I’m confused as to the patent. So anything that locks to a cross member with a combination lock in a portable bag form? Would be patent infringement?

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Dec 16, 2019

Patent infringement requires careful analysis of the claims in a given patent read in light of the specification with the device you’re trying to compare it. You need to consult with a patent attorney for your case.

Also check to see the dates of the patent you’re referring to to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Are there any patents on the Self Leveling Centre cap made by rolls royce

I am reaching out to see if rolls Royce have any specific patents preventing me from creating and selling self levelling centre caps

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Sep 12, 2019

You can try to search for patents assigned to a certain company through the USPTO database.

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark on
Q: Hi, we have an issue with out trade mark Serial# 85434702. Cancelled by mistake. We need assistance to reinstate.
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Sep 12, 2019

Since you have not filed your declaration in time, you will have to file a new trademark application.

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1 Answer | Asked in Trademark on
Q: Can I name a my business with a trademarked name in it? For example “Taste the Rainbow Smoothies”
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 31, 2019

if the trademarked mark is in the same class (goods/services) or related class, then you should stay clear from that mark. That being said, there are a few factors that the USPTO and courts consider when deciding whether there is likelihood of confusion with another mark.

If you're...
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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Virginia on
Q: If we want to trademark "Feel Good Skin Care," is Aveeno Feel Good Skin too close to be able to get a trademark?
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 20, 2019

it depends on the classes they're using the mark for and the ones you're planning on using the mark for. If it's for the same goods/services and they've been using the mark longer, then it would be an issue. You should consult a trademark attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Arizona on
Q: Question re: intellectual property (software, trademarks), closing a CA LLC partnership, and marital property and debt.

I want to hire someone for legal advice but don't know what type attorney I need.

I had my own IT business prior to marriage. While married I formed a CA LLC partnership with then husband and a family member of his.

I filed for divorce and it went through uncontested, but the... View More

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 20, 2019

you need a business attorney and possibly a family lawyer as well.

1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Hello, I would like to know if this prodcut has a patent, someone recommended to me and I’m interested in using it.

In case you have it, i would love to receive it on my personal e-mail or if is a website o link that i can check to see it, thank you so much

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 20, 2019

You should look for a patent professional who handles the industry this product falls under.

1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Hi there! I have a question about the tangle teezer patent. Can someone help me?

I’m interested in putting a brush on the market but I’m not sure if I will have trademark/patent problems.

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 20, 2019

As far as patents are concerned, if the brush you're referring to has existed in the market for a while, then it's probably fallen in the public domain. If this is a new brush, you should hire a patent professional to help you with a clearance search and or freedom to operate.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Communications Law and Trademark for Indiana on
Q: I took a picture of our Sony camera to use on our website. Do I need permission to use this?

It is an original photo that I took to use as a header on our church website and the name, "Sony" is in view on the side of the camera

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Aug 20, 2019

You don't need permission to use your own photo. However, depending on what your website is about, it would be best to avoid displaying someone else's trademark.

2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Illinois on
Q: If I have a one of a kind bath toy manufactured will it be hard to obtain a patent
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Jun 18, 2019

It really depends on what your toy looks like and how new and unique it is. You may be able to cover the functionality of the toy by means of a utility patent and protect the look and feel of the toy by means of a design patent. You should definitely seek patent legal counsel for this.

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Washington on
Q: Tracking patent application after changing jobs

Hi,

My employer had filed a patent in 2017, where I was one of the two inventors. I understand the ownership of IP is with company, but I want to find out how do i even track the patent application status. The application was filed in 2017 and I believe it would have been through private... View More

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Jun 3, 2019

As Attorney Mlynek mentioned, patents are published within 18-months unless the applicant requests a non-publication, in which case, the application won't publish until it's issued.

Another way to look for the application on Public Pair...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for California on
Q: Can I patent a slide on golf glove? No velcro, elastic band at the wrist that expands/retracts when removing.
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on May 14, 2019

It really depends on the improvement and changes you've made to the existing products. If your improvements or changes are novel and would not have been obvious to someone skilled in the art, then yes. As Mr. Mlynek suggests, if there are plenty of them out there, this might be an uphill... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for California on
Q: Good evening, I need some help to know if I can challenge a alleged patent infringement. Can someone help? Thanks
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on May 14, 2019

When receiving a patent infringement letter, you should assess the claim and do what we call an infringement analysis analyzing the cited patents and your work. As Mr. Flynn says, this is not something that you should handle yourself and should hire a patent professional to help with this.

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for California on
Q: How do I know if I should file for a patent or go with the trade secret route instead?
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Feb 16, 2018

It really depends on your business, invention, and product or process. There is no one size fits all answer for this. Is your intellectual property even patentable? Would you want to license it or keep everything in house?

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: How can I make a patent if I am not a US citizen ?
Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Feb 3, 2018

You don’t need to be a US citizen or resident to file in the US.

Talk to a US patent practitioner to help you with the actual drafting and filing of your patent.

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: can I copy a patent after the 20 year period

amplifier PC circuit board

Karima Gulick
Karima Gulick
answered on Feb 1, 2018

In the United States, for utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, the term of the patent is 20 years from the earliest filing date of the application on which the patent was granted and any prior U.S. or Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications from which the patent claims priority.... View More

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