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I'd like to create a video game set in the Palais Garnier in Paris, but I'm unsure of the copyright laws surrounding such buildings. I've concluded that the exterior of the building, as it is in a public space and was built in the late 1800s, is free use. However, I'd like to... View More 
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answered on Dec 29, 2024
When creating a video game set in the Palais Garnier, you’ll need to consider both architectural and artistic rights. The building itself, having been constructed in the late 1800s, is likely in the public domain, allowing you to recreate the general layout and main auditorium without infringing... View More
Copyright, TM and PPA investigation
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answered on Dec 28, 2024
Filing evidence of abuse related to disability rights and economic research requires careful documentation and following proper reporting channels. You should start by gathering all relevant materials, including written records, communications, financial documents, and any supporting evidence that... View More
I want to train an AI model on highly-rated recipes. For example, can I take recipes from the website Food.com, if I just take the ingredients they used, the basic facts like time, allergies, etc, and the basic recipe steps? I was under the impression that if I don't take any personal writing,... View More
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answered on Dec 28, 2024
The legal status of recipe copyright is nuanced. While you're correct that basic ingredients lists and standard cooking procedures generally cannot be copyrighted, the unique expression and creative elements of a recipe can be protected by copyright law.
When collecting recipes from... View More
If I write a song and do not copyright it or publish it, then someone writes the same song or steals my song and copyrights it, can I still copyright my song and sue the person?
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answered on Dec 27, 2024
You would need to have evidence that you are the author of the song and make a claim of copyright infringement. If it is the same song that has already been registered, this would be the correct course of action to seek primary relief.
You can still try to register your song at the US... View More
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answered on Dec 27, 2024
The name "Bark Buddies" is quite generic and commonly used, which means it might already be trademarked by other companies or authors for similar products or services. It would be wise to conduct a thorough trademark search through the USPTO database to check if this name is already... View More
The cover does not include any Yankee logos. In the word search, can I use player names?
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answered on Dec 27, 2024
You'll want to be careful with the Yankees trademark. While you can use the team name "New York Yankees" in fair descriptive use (like "Word Search Puzzles: New York Yankees Edition"), you should avoid any styling or presentation that might suggest official endorsement or... View More
I want to make a music album. One of my favorite TV shows of all time is The Wire (2002). It's places in Baltimore, a city I lived in. I had the idea to put a quote from The Wire at the end of each track. A quote that would describe the idea and emotion of the song. Each clip would be 5-15... View More
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answered on Dec 26, 2024
Using short clips from TV shows in music can be complex from a legal standpoint, but here's what you should know about your specific situation with The Wire.
While Fair Use does protect some creative transformations of copyrighted work, using TV show clips in a commercial music album... View More
I would like to take comic panels and upload edited screenshots of them for video essays on Youtube but I don't know what the copyright laws are on doing something like that and I can't find any information online. Any help is appreciated.
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answered on Dec 26, 2024
Using comic panels in video essays typically falls under "fair use" doctrine, which allows limited use of copyrighted material for criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Many YouTube creators successfully operate under fair use when they transform the... View More
I just wanted to know if I BOUGHT A PRELOADED GAME CONSOLE AND THE WEBSITE SAYS THE GAME CONSOLE HAS PRE LOADED GAMES ON THEM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE GAMES ARENT INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS. IF THEY R ILLEGAL GAMES BEING SOLD ON A CONSOLE. I BOUGHT IT BUT WHO WOULD BE... View More
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answered on Dec 22, 2024
Buying preloaded game consoles can be legally risky if the games weren't properly licensed. Many websites sell consoles with unauthorized copies of games, which violates copyright laws and intellectual property rights of the original game developers and publishers.
While the seller... View More
I understand AI generated art cannot be copyrighted, but a website allows users to generate art on their platform, but claims it cannot be used in certain circumstances. Can I reproduce those images in another medium without violating their terms and conditions
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answered on Dec 21, 2024
This is a really cool question. I won't paint you a definitive answer but I will sketch for you the lines of my initial impression.
AI "art" can't be copyright. → so making a derivative work won't infringe. → a transformative derivative work can be copyright... View More
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answered on Dec 21, 2024
WALL-E, released by Disney/Pixar in 2008, will enter the public domain in 2103.
This long timeline exists because of current U.S. copyright law, which protects corporate works for 95 years from their first publication date. Disney has been notably active in supporting copyright extension... View More
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answered on Dec 21, 2024
Selling unbranded products online requires careful consideration of several legal aspects.
The legality depends on whether these products infringe on existing trademarks, patents, or intellectual property rights. While selling generic, unbranded items is generally allowed, you must ensure... View More
I have a small business where I sell handmade bracelets. It has come to my attention that
SHEIN used to of my photos.
answered on Dec 19, 2024
I assume that your images are on Shein's website.
So long as you own your images (it wasn't a Shein photograph), they are using and they are using your image without your permission, especially in the case that they are using it for profitable purposes, there are two "causes... View More
“Could you clarify what U.S. Patent No. 10,745,833 specifically covers in relation to the product? Does this patent apply to the design, size, or a unique functional feature of the towel? Since a towel is a common and widely available commodity, how is it possible for such an item to be patented,... View More
answered on Dec 19, 2024
The "Claims" section defines exactly what the patent covers. The two main ("independent") claims are:
1. A fabric, comprising:
a plurality of first material yarns; and
a plurality of second material yarns, in which the plurality of first material yarns... View More
Anybody can create a towel, there is no design just blank towels. The fabric is very commonly made and used in different categories as towels. Can someone please be more specific about what the patent is describing like can we not produce these towels and sell them, is there a size patent or design... View More
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answered on Dec 18, 2024
This is a very interesting question. Answering it would require careful study of the patent and the prior art. You're not going to get a comprehensive answer for free from anyone.
We are manufacturer of towels, as per U.S. PATENT NO. 10,745,833, we need to know that we are producing same towels in different sizes and want to export it to US. Are we allowed to import towel in US. Is this patent for printing or blank towels also need a little clarification
answered on Dec 18, 2024
U.S patents cover importation (if your product infringes the patent, you cannot import them into the U.S. without being liable for infringement). This patent covers both fabric products and methods of manufacture. The specific coverage is defined in the claims, which are of varied scope. Whether... View More
answered on Dec 18, 2024
That's a great question. I highly recommend that you hire a competent trademark attorney to run a clearance search before you launch the brand. That search should take approximately 1-3 hours, depending on how many results need to be reviewed. If you get the green light, you should also... View More
a half shell element (10) for the production of a hollow body with an identical further half shell element (10), with at least one guide (20 . . . 20??) for the further element (10), which is constructed in the region of a first half periphery (11) of its encircling edge (12), so that the further... View More
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answered on Dec 15, 2024
Let me help you think through this patent question carefully.
Without seeing the full patent documentation and legal status, I cannot definitively say whether you can produce this product. The patent number you've provided appears to be for a construction-related invention involving... View More
a half shell element (10) for the production of a hollow body with an identical further half shell element (10), with at least one guide (20 . . . 20??) for the further element (10), which is constructed in the region of a first half periphery (11) of its encircling edge (12), so that the further... View More
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answered on Dec 15, 2024
Let me help you think through this patent question carefully.
Without seeing the full patent documentation and legal status, I cannot definitively say whether you can produce this product. The patent number you've provided appears to be for a construction-related invention involving... View More
My band and I want to use a dialogue clip from the movie but we aren’t sure if it is copyrighted or not. We just need clarification on if it is and how we require a license to use the clip.
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answered on Dec 15, 2024
Yes, dialogue from the film "Thelma & Louise" is protected by copyright, and you would need permission to use it in your song. MGM owns the rights to the film, including all of its dialogue and audio components.
To legally use the clip, you'll need to obtain a... View More
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