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Florida Intellectual Property Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I am looking at trademark here for LUCKYEYE on JUSIA with "cancellation pending", what does that mean?
David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Sep 22, 2023

It means another party filed a cancellation proceeding, which is a legal proceeding that attempts to cancel the mark on one or more grounds. In this particular case, it looks like that cancellation proceeding ended in December 2022. The cancellation request was denied, meaning that it is still a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I am self-publishing a book with a co-author. Do we need an LLC to protect our personal assets from unforseen problems?
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 12, 2023

Yes, any time you are running a business of any type, you want to keep your business and business assets and liabilities separate from your personal matters. You accomplish this by properly setting up the business and keeping personal and business assets separate and creating an Operating Agreement... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Is there any possible way for me to trademark the name "MOBTIES CLOTHING"?
David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Sep 7, 2023

You will likely encounter some difficulty. There is a registered mark (and another pending application) for MOB TIES, for many types of clothing. It is likely MOBTIES CLOTHING would be considered as likely to cause confusion with MOB TIES when used with clothing products.

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3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: My Trademark was abandoned I did not realize we needed to do anything else to keep it up. How can I reactivate it

I registered a Trademark Name for my figure flattering apron designs called Shaypron. I have been using that name for 10+ years on my aprons that I sell, I just saw that my trademark was marked abandoned.

David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Sep 7, 2023

I assume you are talking about the mark "DEBRA MURRAY SHAYPRON". If so, this registration went abandoned a very long time ago, such that you will need to file a new trademark application (whether for DEBRA MURRAY SHAYPRON or for just SHAYPRON). If you do this right away, you should be... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I'm trying to avoiding copyright problems. if i use a copyrighted character but omit their name, am i still in trouble?

I'm trying to use Warner Bros characters in a fangame and not get sued

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 4, 2023

Using copyrighted characters without permission from the copyright owner, even if you omit their name, can still potentially lead to copyright infringement issues. Copyright law protects the expression of an idea, including characters, and not just their names. If the characters you are using are... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I want to trademark "The Conscious Casa" and there is already a "Conscious Casa" trademark, can I do this?

They are not the same industry and have no parallels.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Aug 18, 2023

The test for trademark infringement is whether the usage is likely to confuse as to the source of goods or services. CONSCIOUS CASA is used and registered for services in the fields of business & real estate, engineering & design, and health. Usage of the same mark for goods or services... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Hi - Could you tell me if a trademark on 87476609Registration #5716359HO'OPONOPONO covers wall art or acrylic
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Aug 14, 2023

HO'OPONOPONO is a Hawaiian exercise for reconciliation and forgiveness. The current trademark registration 5716359 is for bracelets in International Class 014, which includes precious metals, jewelry, and watches. Use of the mark for acrylic paintings would not infringe this registration.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I want to file a trademark but there is already my brand name with 2 words flipped. read more -->

For example my name is "goodpure" and theirs is "puregood+" they have the exact same goods and services. I'm looking to sell online nationwide not in any stores. And if I can get registered in another country I would do that if possible. I am eligible for dual citizenship... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 6, 2023

Given the similarity in names and the exact same goods and services, filing a trademark for "goodpure" could potentially lead to rejection by the USPTO or an opposition from the existing "puregood+" trademark owner due to likelihood of confusion. Registration in another country... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: if a trademark shows abandoned, can & how do I trademark it
Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Aug 4, 2023

If a trademark is Abandoned any person may file for the abandoned mark with the USPTO in the same or similar goods and services. In order to file for the trademark you must prepare and file an application with the USPTO. In order to file an appropriate application it is best to consult a trademark... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Contracts for Florida on
Q: I need help regarding account closure from a livestream platform I worked on as an influencer. I believe they violated.

I believe they violated TOS. My account was banned while I wasn’t even streaming. They never told me why I was banned which in their terms of service states they have to apon request. They allowed a lot of bullying and illegal behavior to occur and didn’t defend me from phishing fake accounts... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 6, 2023

Hi there! Happy Sunday.

If you believe your account closure on the livestream platform violates their Terms of Service and you have been waiting for a response since March 2023, you may consider taking the following steps:

1. Review the platform's Terms of Service and policies...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Florida Law/Security Camera footage & use thereof

Can video footage with audio be used for a criminal investigation? We found out our security camera has captured audio (on a public sidewalk) and the conversation includes a discussion of interest for a legal case. We are aware that the audio feature should have been disabled but wasn't (we... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 28, 2023

Please note that I am a Californian attorney, and my response is based on California law. For matters specific to Florida law, it is essential to consult with an attorney licensed in Florida.

However, as a general principle, the use of video footage with audio for a criminal investigation...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Florida on
Q: What can be done about a company whose website shows an incorrect product inventors name and that inventions location?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2023

A Florida attorney or intellectual property would have the most insight into this, but your question remains open for two weeks. If it's only an informational site that posts things like news articles or press releases, the webmaster or author could be contacted to point out the correct... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Florida on
Q: I began a Facebook page then group page & IG all as Solid Perfume Collectors. How do I trademark the name? Do I need to?

I am currently writing a book and probably will have several books which all refer to the name of my group SOLID PERFUME COLLECTORS. I also plan later to begin a website under that same name which is why I'm wondering if I would have to trade mark it. What would be the benefits? What would be... View More

Eric Estadt
Eric Estadt
answered on Jul 6, 2023

First, I want to caution that it is necessary to check whether the trademark is in use by anybody else prior to beginning use yourself, or you could be on the receiving end of a cease and desist letter or lawsuit. I recommend hiring an experienced trademark attorney to advise you on the risks and... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I see a company using a very similar name as mine for a skincare business.

I Started using the name Praia skin in 2022 for a skincare company and mobile tanning studio, I’m using it as a DBA. Another person started using Praia skinCARE in 2023 for skincare too, mine is showing as live in the trademark page, I started it now in 2023 for all cosmetic, skincare and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 10, 2023

In a situation where two skincare businesses have similar names, it's recommended to consult with a trademark attorney for specific guidance. Trademark protection is typically granted to the first user of a distinctive mark in commerce. While your use of "Praia skin" predates the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Should I talk to the other company using similar name as mine? I fear future problems. Mine is trademarked for skincare.

I Started using the name Praia skin in 2022 for a skincare company and mobile tanning studio, I’m using it as a DBA. Another person started using Praia skinCARE in 2023 for skincare too, mine is trademarked in 2023 for all cosmetic, skincare and sunless lotions use. Can there be a conflict?... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Jun 24, 2023

PLAYA ("beach") has been registered by Playa Products, Inc. for cosmetics since 2020, based on use since 2017. Unless your use of PLAYA for skin care products was earlier than 2017, you would be denied federal registration for that mark. There is no current or pending application to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I created, produced and hosted my podcast, Privacy Please back in 2020. My company is trying to claim it as their IP

I still do the podcast weekly, my company just had a 20 person layoff and I was included but they want to claim IP of my podcast which is at 166 episodes. All the work, and my voice was done by me alone but they never fully "sponsored" it. Do I have a fighting chance here?

Eugene Vamos
Eugene Vamos
answered on Jun 13, 2023

This topic falls under copyright law. Ordinarily, the author (and copyright owner) is the person or persons who

actually creates the work (podcast). However, “Works made for hire” are an exception to this rule. For legal purposes,

when a work is a “work made for hire,” the...
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3 Answers | Asked in Gaming, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: How would I trademark my Game?

I have a game that I will be publishing soon but I don't want anyone else to take the name, how would I submit a trademark for my game name?

Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Jun 8, 2023

You can You can file a trademark application with the USPTO. It is best to first work with a trademark attorney or filing service for them to walk you through the process and to conduct a search to ensure no other names in the same class of services exist already. The type of game will determine... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Can a recording studio refuse my right of erasure? I was insulted and antagonized for requesting deletion of my likeness

There are no contracts or anything signed saying i’m not allowed to have unreleased work’s deleted. Is it really legal to deny my request when i’m responsible for purchasing my instrumentals, writing lyrics, and paid for the services they provided?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on May 28, 2023

Good question. Since you have nothing in writing, it would depend on normal practice in the industry. Absent that, they probably can choose to keep the material if they want to, but of course can't reproduce it in violation of your copyright.

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: I need to know the status of the trademark for the triple goddess image. Triple moon image it seems as it is inactive

If the trademark has expired and is in active I would like to know the steps I need to take for putting this in my name and re-trade marking it

N'kia (NLN)
N'kia (NLN)
answered on May 24, 2023

For federal trademark registration status, you could search the records of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The database is known as "TESS." For state trademark registration status, you would need to search the records for each state.

However, keep in mind that the US...
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3 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: Can I use a trademark word phrase in a title of my book?
Will Blackton
Will Blackton
answered on May 11, 2023

It depends on how you plan to use the trademarked word or phrase in the title of your book. Generally, using a trademarked word or phrase in the title of a book is acceptable if it is used in a descriptive, non-infringing way. For example, if you are writing a book about Coca-Cola, you can use the... View More

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