Q: Am I allowed to use a companie's trademark and intellectual property in my own project and showcase it to the public?
Someone I know is making an Avatar The Last Airbender game and posting regular updates about it. He is using their logo and nickelodeon's logo to promote his project. He claims he is not promoting and it is just for personal use but, as I said, he posts regular updated on the progress claiming it to be HIS game. A lot of people are telling him to stop because he is breaking a lot of laws and could get in trouble but he insists that he is doing nothing wrong, it is perfeclty legal and he is allowed to do it as long as he doesn't sell the game.
Long story short, he thinks he can just use someone else's propperty without permission if he is not making any money out of it.
A: It sounds like there is an issue with possible deceit, trademark dilution, and perhaps infringement or disclosure of confidential information. The exact answer depends on the facts of the case, and there is too little information in your question to provide you with a more specific answer. If the "someone I know" is you, I recommend reviewing removing the social media posts, reviewing your employment agreement (if any) for confidentiality, or perhaps get written permission from the owner of the intellectual property to continue posting information.
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
