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.

Hi - you need to think of your band as being similar to a marriage. If there are assets (equipment, recording contract or incoming revenue streams), and there is a breakup, there are going to be disputes on how the assets will be split up. If you are in that position, congrats! That indicates that... View More

If you choose the correct celebrity you can expect to be sued. California gives celebrities a "right of privacy." The law generally does not allow violation of rights just because the violator not want the "hassle" of obeying the rules.

It appears you have learned a hard lesson. Take the jewelry that she gave you as collateral to a jewelry store and see what kind of price you can get for each piece. Then go to your local target store and buy yourself a good inexpensive camera. Either that or get yourself a decent iPhone, which... View More

Same reason that any business might have salespersons, as well as an attorney to draft sales contracts, and litigate alleged breaches of such contracts.

Hello and thanks for asking your question for a friend. It is a shame that this situation has dragged on for so long and it is surely something that should be avoided if at all possible. It is really very difficult to answer you with an great specificity without knowing all the ins and outs of your... View More

Well a trademark protects items that help identify a brand such as the name, logo or slogan of the brand. Copyright on the other hand protects literary and artistic works, such as books, artwork and videos etc. For both of these you can’t protect an idea that’s only in your head but there are... View More

You need to have a cpa advise you. At the initial stage it may not matter much. Consulting a copyright attorney would be a good thing too.

It probably is. You should get clearance first. Best of luck!

This is most likely alright. If you legally acquired the paperbacks and trading cards, you are free to resell them. The first sale doctrine allows people to resell what the purchase without restriction from the copyright or trademark owner. Although, if they are adult materials, you cannot sell... View More

You may need a lawyer to draft such documents so that they're tailored to your needs. If you're a minor, then a parent may need to hire the lawyer for you. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More

"Looking for some advice from a copyright lawyer that I can potentially stake my life on." Did you want this for free? Did you want an answer that was short enough to fit in this box? Did you want the attorney to answer this without getting further information? It is possible that your... View More

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answered on Aug 7, 2017

Probably not, contact the shows producers and ask for permission / a license.

If the introduction has not been made yet, a Finder's Fee Agreement is a good way to protect the consultant. There are formulas that are recognized as appropriate for determining the amount to pay the consultant.

If the introduction has already been made, it is necessary to consider... View More

If you use it without the location release, you may be inviting a lawsuit. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors,... View More

You probably do not need anything from the original owner if the mark expired 10 years ago. Once a trademark expires, the registration terminates. The former owner no longer owns a federal registration. Although, there could be some other common law rights to the mark. To be certain the mark is... View More

You will need to conduct a search to see if the mark is still in use. A trademark may be still valid at common law despite being listed as "dead" at the USPTO. If the mark is in use you may contact the owner for permission to use it, via a transfer of rights or trademark license. If the... View More

The particular use of the organizations may be "nominative fair use" or protected by First Amendment interests in artistic expression. Read the following article for an in depth analysis: http://rodriqueslaw.com/blog/how-use-brands-and-products-film

A minor cannot consent to a contract, except for necessities. You may seek to rescind it. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards,... View More

If you have signed with an agent it means that there is a contract. Contracts includes terms and conditions. Usually the terms specify the legal obligations of both you and the agent. There also may be obligations that apply under the law even if they are not spelled out in the contract. It appears... View More