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Copyright Questions & Answers
Q: Is sharing a Vimeo link to a film considered publication under copyright law in California?
I made a short film and uploaded it to Vimeo, a public video platform. I then provided a link to an online magazine that published it along with an interview with me. There was no contractual agreement regarding this publication. Is distributing the link to my film on Vimeo, through the magazine,... View More 
Q: Can I sue an AI company for using my book in training data?
I discovered that an AI model is able to provide a whole page verbatim from my book, suggesting it was used as part of their training data. I found this out by using prompt engineering techniques. I haven't yet contacted the company about this issue. Can I sue the AI company for using my book... View More
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Alan Harrison
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
Yes. There are pending lawsuits like this. You could engage an Alaska copyright attorney, either to file your own suit or to help you join one of the classes of authors who already are suing (if the company you identified is named in one of the pending lawsuits).
Q: Can a table header with identical text infringe on another's copyright in Washington D.C.?
I am concerned that a table header I created, which contains text identical to that of another existing table header, may infringe on someone else's work. Could you provide guidance on whether table headers are subject to copyright protection and what steps I might need to take to ensure compliance?
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
You don’t need to worry too much if the issue is just about identical table headers. Short phrases, including common labels like “Name,” “Date,” “Amount,” or even slightly longer headers, are generally not protected by copyright law. Copyright only protects original expressions—not... View More
Q: What are my legal responsibilities for using TV/movie characters and dialogues in my novel?
I have written a fictional novel featuring many characters from TV and film. These characters only speak lines from their respective shows or movies. I plan to publish this novel commercially. I'm wondering about my legal responsibilities regarding the use of these characters and their... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
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answered on Jul 10, 2025
You're asking all the right questions, and your concerns are valid—especially when dealing with well-known characters and copyrighted material. Using characters like George from *Seinfeld* and having them speak only lines from the show brings up both copyright and trademark issues. The... View More
Q: Can I use Spiderman in a project for symbolism and how do I get a Marvel license?
I am working on a personal project that involves using a copyrighted character, specifically Spiderman, as a twice occurring image for symbolic purposes. The character is shown briefly on a TV screen and again as an action figure to represent "the hero," which influences the... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 8, 2025
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answered on Jul 8, 2025
Using Spiderman—even briefly—without permission from Marvel creates legal risk. The character is protected by copyright and trademark law. Even symbolic use, such as a background image on a TV or as an action figure, qualifies as derivative use if it depicts a recognizable character owned by... View More
Q: Do I need to pay for copyright when hiring someone for schoolwork using pre-existing materials without a contract?
I am paying someone to complete a worksheet using pre-existing materials, and there is no written contract between us. I'm concerned about copyright infringement. Do I need to pay for copyright in this situation?
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Christie Dudley
answered on Jul 7, 2025
answered on Jul 7, 2025
First, copyright and plagiarism are not the same thing. Keep that in mind. Plagiarism is an academic concern, whereas copyright is a legal concern. Lawyers do not concern ourselves with plagiarism. You would have to consult your academic institution to determine what would be required to avoid... View More
Q: Is it legal to stream Spider-Man movies on a public Discord server on Spider-Man Day?
Are there legal issues with streaming movies over the internet on a public Discord server? There's a server planning to stream Spider-Man movies using Disney+ on August 1st, known as Spider-Man Day, and it's free for anyone who joins the server via an invite link. There isn't any... View More
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Christie Dudley
answered on Jul 7, 2025
answered on Jul 7, 2025
Generally speaking, no, it is not legal. Most streaming services only provide movies for home use only. Public display would not be within the "personal use" that is licensed with your subscription. Since you are dealing with Disney, I would expect them to be rather firm on this point,... View More
Q: How to register and protect game assets from unauthorized use in the USA?
I'm developing a custom game in the USA, including original music and other assets, and want to formally register copyrights for everything before launching a demo. How can I ensure that my creations are protected against unauthorized use, such as others stealing music or assets to make a... View More
Ivan Parron
answered on Jul 2, 2025
answered on Jul 2, 2025
This forum is not intended for legal advice. You really need to speak with an experienced gaming and ip lawyer. Our law firm represents clients like yourself. Feel free to schedule an initial consultation using the following link: http://Booking.PARRON.LAW
Q: Can I use the quote “The body achieves what the mind believes” on a business card?
Can I use the quote “The body achieves what the mind believes,” attributed to Napoleon Hill, for commercial purposes on a business card? I'm concerned about potential copyright or trademark issues.
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 2, 2025
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answered on Jul 2, 2025
Using the quote “The body achieves what the mind believes” on a business card is unlikely to violate copyright law. Short phrases, slogans, or common motivational sayings generally don’t qualify for copyright protection. U.S. copyright law specifically excludes short expressions, even if they... View More
Q: Is it copyright infringement to upload a common word design using a different font and my original graphic?
On a print-on-demand site, someone uploaded a design consisting of the word "INDIA" in simple all-caps font and black color. I want to know if it would be copyright infringement if I upload the same word in black color using a different font, with only the first letter capitalized, and... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2025
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answered on Jun 29, 2025
You can use the common word “India” without infringing copyright because words, titles, and short phrases cannot be protected under U.S. copyright law. The Copyright Office will not register individual words or brief combinations of words, even if they are novel or distinctive.
Typeface... View More
Q: I want to make and publish a parody of 'Hamilton' on YouTube. Is it legal given its exclusive rights?
I would like to create and publish a parody of the musical 'Hamilton' on YouTube, but I've heard that it has exclusive rights. How does copyright law apply to parodies in this context, and would I be able to legally publish my parody on YouTube?
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2025
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answered on Jun 29, 2025
You can claim fair use for a parody of Hamilton so long as it comments on or critiques the original work. Parody falls squarely within the fair use doctrine, even though the musical enjoys comprehensive copyright protection.
Courts evaluate fair use by weighing four factors. First, your... View More
Q: What does "Conveyance of Copyright" mean in relation to retaining personal rights for historical photos donated to a library?
I wish to donate historical photos to a local library for their research and displays. I've been requested to sign a "Conveyance of Copyright," which states I will convey "all rights, title, and interest" in the materials. I want to retain the right to use these photos... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 21, 2025
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answered on Jun 21, 2025
When you sign a "Conveyance of Copyright," you're essentially transferring your ownership of the copyright to another party. In legal terms, conveying "all rights, title, and interest" means you're giving up your exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, or... View More
Q: Instagram suspended my account for copyright infringement after I reported art theft. What do I do?
I reported an Instagram account for stealing my art and passing it off as their own, resulting in their account being deleted. Shortly afterward, my own account was suspended for copyright infringement, possibly due to them reporting me. I have filed an appeal and have evidence of my work on my... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 17, 2025
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answered on Jun 17, 2025
You took the right first step by filing an appeal, especially since you have evidence of your original artwork. It’s deeply frustrating when you're the one protecting your rights and suddenly find yourself being penalized. While Instagram's copyright enforcement tools can be blunt and... View More
Q: Is it safe to publish my ebook on Amazon after copyright submission via Legal Zoom?
I used Legal Zoom to submit my original ebook's copyright registration to The Library of Congress and received a record of the submission, but the official copyright document has not yet arrived. Is it safe for me to proceed with publishing my ebook on Amazon?
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 16, 2025
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answered on Jun 16, 2025
Yes, you can move forward with publishing your ebook on Amazon even if the official copyright certificate hasn’t arrived yet. The moment you submit a complete application for copyright registration with the U.S. Copyright Office, your work is considered to be in the process of registration, which... View More
1 Answer
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in
Appeals / Appellate Law, Business Law, Contracts, Copyright, Trademark and Intellectual Property
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Wyoming
on
Q: How can I appeal Amazon account closure for ToS violation in Wyoming?
I am a content creator whose Amazon account was closed, with the reason cited being a violation of terms of service. However, I always ensure my designs respect trademark and copyright rules. I rely heavily on my Amazon account and have even established an LLC to make my business more serious. I am... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
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answered on Jun 11, 2025
Having your Amazon account shut down can feel like a huge blow, especially when your livelihood depends on it. If you believe the closure was a mistake or that you can show good faith, the first thing you need to do is remain calm and prepare a professional appeal. Amazon takes compliance... View More
1 Answer
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in
Copyright, Libel & Slander, Intellectual Property and Personal Injury
for
Wisconsin
on
Q: What legal recourse options are available for a libel claim regarding false statements about my peer-reviewed research document?
I authored and copyrighted a research document that was peer-reviewed and published in a journal I own. A scientist in Wisconsin made a public statement on Facebook claiming my document "was not peer-reviewed - because it isn't," which is false. Despite my request for clarification,... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
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answered on Jun 7, 2025
You could pursue a defamation claim in Wisconsin or Illinois court. Because the statement was false and published to a third party on Facebook, it meets the elements of libel.
Begin by sending a demand letter requesting a retraction and apology to preserve your rights. Under defamation per... View More
Q: Addressing BVIRAL copyright infringement claim on YouTube channel
I own a YouTube channel called Cute Black Babies, where I post content featuring babies that I do not own. All videos are put through a YouTube copyright tracker to ensure they are clean. I received an email from the BVIRAL IP Compliance Team claiming copyright infringement for two videos:... View More
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Alan Harrison
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answered on Jun 2, 2025
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answered on Jun 2, 2025
I think one of the first things that I would want from BVIRAL would be copies of their valid copyright registrations for the videos that they're alleging.
Q: We need help to know what the consequences of violating the open source software (OSS) license.
We don't have the source code available for public.
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 27, 2025
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answered on May 27, 2025
I'll search for current information about the consequences of violating open source software licenses to provide you with accurate guidance.Let me search for more specific information about consequences when source code is not made publicly available under OSS licenses.When you fail to make... View More
Q: Is it possible to use and modify a copyrighted graphic design for commercial use?
I want to use someone else's graphic design for commercial purposes and plan to make some minor changes to it. Can design be copyrighted, and what permissions or steps should I consider before using the design?
Ross Evan Pitcoff
answered on Jun 18, 2025
answered on Jun 18, 2025
Only with proper permission—and failing to do so can expose you to serious legal liability.
Just because a graphic design is publicly visible doesn’t mean it’s free to use or modify. Copyright law protects original works, including graphic designs, from unauthorized reproduction,... View More
Q: Is copying DVD movies for friends fair use?
Michael's father purchased a DVD burner for their computer mainly to back up computer files. However, Michael discovered he could use the burner to copy DVD movies, and decided to copy some of his favorite movies to give to friends. Is this considered fair use?
Ross Evan Pitcoff
answered on Jun 18, 2025
answered on Jun 18, 2025
No—copying DVD movies for friends is not considered fair use and is likely a violation of federal copyright law.
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