Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
I'm considering using a website called removepaywalls.com for personal and educational purposes, which directs users to the Internet Archive, Wayback Machine, or archive.today to access archived versions of various articles. I'm interested in understanding the legal risks or consequences... View More 
I am interested in pursuing the acquisition of the copyright for an old children's show marked as abandoned with the serial number 74144224 for commercial use. The original lawyer associated with the copyright has passed away, and there is no contact information available on the copyright page... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 13, 2025
I think that you have confused copyrights and trademarks. The number you provide is a trademark registration not a copyright registration. Trademarks, not copyrights, can be abandoned by non use.
If the trademark has truly been abandoned, then your path forward would not be overly complex.
I wrote and published a book and have registered the copyright for it. Recently, I discovered someone else has taken my book, changed the name, but kept the same content. I have evidence that my work was copied. I confronted the person, but they refuse to stop selling my content under the new... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 12, 2025
It seems like you may have a business Federal claim for copyright infringement. Also if they are selling through an online platform there may be a way to present your copyright registration to the platform and shut down their sales. Consult a CA attorney who specializes in intellectual property... View More
I own a picture of a rare animal that I haven't registered with a copyright office yet. I'm considering sending it to a news channel. What steps should I take to ensure I receive royalties or protect my rights before sending it to them?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 11, 2025
It costs only $65 to register the photograph copyright yourself. You can follow the instructions at https://www.copyright.gov/registration/.
I would like to use specific lines from a movie, such as "bought hot dogs" and "daddy let me keep the change," in the lyrics of my song, which I intend to profit from. However, I have not sought or obtained permission from the movie's creators or copyright holders. Can I... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 8, 2025
No, you generally can't use specific movie lines in your song for profit without permission. Dialogue from movies is protected by copyright, even short phrases, if they are original enough. Using lines like "bought hot dogs" and "daddy let me keep the change" might seem... View More
I discovered after the death of my ex-romantic and art partner that much of his artwork was based on my photography and social media posts. I want to publish his art alongside the references he used, but I am concerned about the legality of including certain images.
Some of the photographs... View More
answered on Apr 7, 2025
1. Using Referenced Images for Commentary or Analysis
Including the original reference images alongside your ex-partner’s artwork for the purpose of commentary, critique, or scholarship can potentially fall under Fair Use, especially if:
The inclusion transforms the original... View More
About 30 years ago, I wrote a book that was serialized in a bi-monthly magazine over six installments in one year. The magazine is still being published, and there was no formal contract—only a handshake agreement for $500 per installment. I was credited as the author and contributing editor. I... View More
answered on Apr 2, 2025
I would double-check with the magazine to see if there is a contract on file even if you remember a verbal/handshake agreement. If there is a written agreement, please reach out to an experienced intellectual property attorney to review it in detail. There is something called a... View More
I wrote a book that is registered with the Copyright Office and published through a major publisher. Recently, I discovered that an AI-generated summary/derivative of my book has been posted on Amazon under a fake name, replicating specific terms and passages from my work. I've already... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 1, 2025
Usually, you have to resolve the issue with the internet service provider or the legal department of the internet service provider who will then contact the person or entity responsible for the post or publication.
A way to further protect your copyright generally on the internet, is to... View More
I am dealing with a situation where someone hacked my TikTok account, altering my email address, phone number, and screen name, while my personal content remains intact. Despite notifying TikTok, their response indicated no violation. I've reached out to their legal team, filed a police... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 27, 2025
You're facing a frustrating situation with your hacked TikTok account. For the DMCA takedown, you'll need to contact TikTok's designated agent through their official DMCA form or by reaching their registered agent listed in the U.S. Copyright Office directory. Their current agent... View More
I have altered the verses of a song while keeping the beat and chorus the same, and this change drastically alters the meaning of the song. The original song is copyrighted, and I don't have permission from the copyright holder, although I know who they are. I'm unsure if I want to... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 28, 2025
Releasing a remixed song that uses the original beat and chorus without permission is risky from a copyright perspective. While you've changed the verses and altered the meaning, you're still using substantial portions of the original work that are protected by copyright law.
Your... View More
I wrote original lyrics for a song dedicated to my terminally ill wife and used the Lyrics into Song AI tool to generate music. I am on the tool's free plan, which states the AI retains rights, but a license is granted with a paid subscription. I plan to delete the AI-generated voice and only... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 25, 2025
Your situation involves important copyright considerations when using AI-generated music. The terms of service for the "Lyrics into Song" tool are crucial here - while you own your original lyrics, the free plan explicitly states the AI retains rights to the musical composition. Even... View More
For a web app in development showcasing reading circles for preschoolers and parents, where parents pay to join a live 30-minute storytime with up to eight participants, would permission be needed from publishers to have their books read if the sessions are recorded and stored for later access? The... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
Yes, you would need to obtain a license from the publisher in order to legally do this.
I'm a solo artist working on an album that I plan to release digitally in two months. I want to protect the songs and guitar parts worldwide but haven't explored any intellectual property alternatives. Should I go through the process of registering a copyright, or is my work automatically... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Your musical creations are automatically protected by copyright as soon as you create them in most countries, thanks to the Berne Convention. This means your songs and guitar parts already have basic protection without registration.
However, registering your copyright provides important... View More
I am currently working on a children's book about Autism awareness, incorporating a fictionalized spin on my childhood story. My book is titled "My Best Friend, Graham, Has Autism," narrated by Graham's non-Autistic best friend, Cordelia. Graham is based on me, and Cordelia is... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Your concern about potential similarities with Celeste Shally's book is understandable, but titles generally cannot be copyrighted, so "My Best Friend, Graham, Has Autism" likely doesn't infringe on "Since We're Friends: An Autism Picture Book." The law protects... View More
I am developing a unique trading bot in Tennessee that offers the capability to trade cryptocurrencies, forex, and stocks. I am seeking pro bono legal help for trademarks, patents, and copyrights as I have exhausted all my funds during development. I am currently at the beta testing stage and... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Finding pro bono legal assistance for intellectual property matters can be challenging, but several paths exist for your trading bot venture. The Tennessee Bar Association offers a pro bono program that connects qualified individuals with volunteer attorneys who might have expertise in intellectual... View More
I create songs using Suno AI under a paid subscription. While the music is created by Suno, the lyrics are 100% my original works, and I've submitted them for copyright through the Copyright Office. A musical artist, who is signed with a label, is interested in recording a few of my songs. I... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
You own the copyright to your original lyrics, especially since you’ve already submitted them for registration. However, the rights to the music itself depend on Suno’s terms of service. Since you’re using a paid subscription, you may have some rights to distribute or sell the songs, but... View More
I'm looking to transfer copyright rights and E&O (Errors and Omissions) liability for a drawing set from the initial architect to a new one. There are no existing agreements or contracts about this transfer. The new architect will be involved in writing a contract with a city, which was... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Transferring copyright and liability for architectural drawings in Illinois requires a written agreement between both architects. The original architect must assign the copyright to the new architect through a formal document, typically called a copyright assignment or transfer agreement. This... View More
I am developing a unique trading bot with specialized features and need pro bono assistance to initiate applications for trademarks, patents, and copyrights in Tennessee. I require support as soon as possible from an attorney experienced in intellectual property law. I haven't reached out to... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 20, 2025
Finding pro bono legal help for trademarks, patents, and copyrights can be challenging, but there are organizations that offer support. Start by contacting the Tennessee Bar Association and asking about their pro bono intellectual property services. You can also check with Volunteer Lawyers &... View More
I am a jeweler wanting to copyright a few designs I've created to prevent other jewelers from using and profiting from my design style. My designs include gemstone wire-wrapped rings with a unique technique that not only makes them stronger but also features my own specific wire-wrapping... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 16, 2025
You could be eligible for copyright protection and design patent protection on the individual designs, and possibly also utility patent protection on the method of wrapping the wires (depending how long you've been doing it or if or when you published the videos).
I'm a content creator planning to monetize a Halloween photography fashion-inspired look based on the Beetlejuice character. I intend to post photos and videos in a graveyard on Instagram and TikTok featuring black and white striped clothing and makeup similar to the character but with my own... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 15, 2025
Your planned Beetlejuice-inspired content could present some copyright risks, even without using direct movie clips or trademarks. Copyright typically protects specific character portrayals and distinctive elements that audiences clearly associate with the original work. Because you're... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free 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 Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, 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.
