Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Years ago I wrote a screenplay based on a self-published novel by a friend of mine, with her permission and minor collaboration. The lady has since passed away. Her heir says that the lady willed her copyrights to someone else but she does not know whom. Records still list the original author as... View More

answered on Sep 20, 2023
It is not essential that you identify the current owner of the copyright in the novel, but if you desired to do so, the best resource would be the probate records for the novelist's estate and/or a copy of the will. Your screenplay is an original work of your own authorship, with the... View More
For copyright questions

answered on Sep 11, 2023
If your former employer is using your images without your explicit consent and it was not stipulated in your employment contract that they could use your images for marketing purposes, you may have grounds to object to this use. Your right to object might be based on your copyright in the images... View More
We are hosting a local festival and I did not want to use something trademarked

answered on Jun 15, 2023
Palooza is commonly used descriptive term of a party and generic word so there should not be any trademark infringement issues with that particular term. Descriptive and generic terms are afforded little to no trademark protection.
Im a musician and I'm writing a song about nostalgia. The Nintendo GameBoy was a huge nostalgia factor for me. The GameBoy startup sound is just one extended chord followed by an individual note. Could I possibly get sued by Nintendo if I put the chord from the startup sound into my song?

answered on Dec 29, 2022
The issue of copyright infringement is one that has been debated for decades, and while most people are aware that they can be sued for illegally downloading music, many are unaware that they can also be sued for using a short note, or sound clip, from a song. This is because even though the clip... View More
I proclaimed my nationality and legal Notice
On or about 4 of April 2014 in Jefferson county..

answered on Mar 23, 2022
An Alabama attorney could probably advise best, but your post remains open for four weeks. This is posted under Admiralty/Maritime, but it does not appear to be something that most maritime attorneys would be familiar with. In terms of reaching out to attorneys, it isn't fully clear what kind... View More
I am writing a stage play and I want to use a song in the play. I read a NOLO book on getting permission to use copyrighted materials but it had a videogram license attached to it. I don't want to film the play. I just want to use the song.

answered on Sep 22, 2021
Consult with an attorney.
Start with Google, look for owners of the rights.
a you tube program has published photos of me without my permission, It is illegal? I don't want them to use my image

answered on Jan 6, 2021
We all have a right of privacy, which includes our "right of publicity." However, if your image was taken while you were in a public place, and/or your image was only briefly shown, it will be much harder to assert your claim. Please consult with an IP/privacy attorney to fully assess your rights.
I am planning to create videos to tutor test prep students. Every student will register and sign in and purchase a hardbound copy of the textbook I use to access the videos. Can I use excerpts from that textbook for examples and explain solutions to problems from that textbook legally? I will... View More

answered on Oct 29, 2020
Generally speaking, using "limited" parts of a copyrighted work is OK for criticism, commentary, teaching, etc. See 17 U.S. Code § 107. This is called "Fair Use." But Fair Use is just a defense to infringement; it can't prevent a suit. In other words, if a copyright... View More

answered on Jul 8, 2020
You should consult with an attorney to determine whether you can revive the application or if you have resubmit.
I'm launching a membership and stand alone sales program covering copyrighted novels, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc. where I develop and sell learning workbooks to complement learning using the novels.
I will sell membership plans for the resources I create.
Is... View More

answered on Jun 25, 2020
Under copyright law 17 USC 106, the owner of a copyrighted work has the exclusive right to copy, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, publicly perform, publicly display – of their copyrighted work.
A derivative work is a work made from another work – with other descriptions of... View More
The US Copyright Office has already received my original literary work. I am wondering if I can go ahead and publish or if I need to wait to receive my certificate of registration.

answered on Apr 9, 2019
The date of confirmation of registration is the operative measure. The certificate is just documentary evidence for you to have at your disposal. So, as long as you have a registration number, you're protected.
I was forced to have a DNA test done on my child after he was 4 years old and I have had sole custody of him up until this point

answered on Jan 12, 2018
Yes. It is perfectly appropriate for the Court to order a DNA test to establish the paternity of a child.
I have created a lesson to accompany a novel to sell commercially to other teachers. Most book titles are not trademarked, but the novel title I created the lessons to accompany is listed as "trademarked". In the product, I refer to the title of the book multiple times and the activity... View More

answered on Jan 11, 2018
I'm not sure I understand your question. Please explain a little more. Thanks,
Mark A. Baker
I produced (recorded, mixed, mastered, published, etc) two albums and numerous music videos for an artist. We were a team and were good friends. The artist willingly allowed me to record him, video him, photograph him, etc. and post it all on my website and social media pages many times. No... View More

answered on Dec 4, 2017
Unless the artist agreed to convey to you the property you don't own it. You might try to enforce some contract by course of dealing, or attempt to show that he gave the work away, but you are going to learn a lesson in doing things without an agreement in place.
It is a material made up of several different materials.

answered on Sep 14, 2017
This material is very likely trademarked. It is likely not copyrighted.
As far as patents go, it may very well be patented. Take a look at the material or the packaging that it comes in, and there should be some sort of a patent marking, such as “pat.” or “patent” with one or more... View More
However my brother was the executor of the will and has been paying the taxes on the property what are my rights and can he make me leave and take sole possession of the property?

answered on Sep 13, 2017
You did not say if the will was ever offered for probate. That is a key point. If it has been more than 5 years since your mother's death the will can't be offered for probate, and the estate would be handled as in intestate succession -- as if there was no will. I don't think your... View More
I am in the process of completing what might best be referred to as a personal, book-length research paper. The work is a criticism of a particular field and its practices. As I am not an expert, I cite a significant amount of scientific literature, expert opinion from a wide variety of books, and... View More

answered on Jul 19, 2017
As you probably know, the fair use doctrine is not a black and white formula and its application involves a number of considerations. In general, though, it is an available defense against an infringement claim in works of criticism, as you have described your work.
A court will look at... View More

answered on Jun 13, 2017
Copyright law will protect the expression of ideas, that is, the creative organization of words used to write the ideas, but not the underlying ideas themselves.
So, if you want to copying word-for-word from others, you must get their permission before using their work. If you want to... View More

answered on Apr 22, 2011
It's copyRight, not copyWrite. It is the right to control or restrict the copying of your work.
And you don't need to put your name on every page. I can't think of why you'd want to, unless the pages are loose and likely to fall apart.
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