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0 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Gaming for Oregon on
Q: I'm on SSI & I'm hesitant on using Cash Apps on my cellphone, does any income received to my bank acct must be reported?

The new 2024 IRS rules indicate that they are delaying the reporting income received by Cash Apps. Does reporting over $600.00 for the year still applies to this rule? If not, will I still get a 1099-K form if I win more than $600.00?

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Intellectual Property for Illinois on
Q: Can I use a short clip of a video game being played on a Nintendo Switch with audio for a total of 3secs in short film?

Film will be entered in film festivals

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Using a short clip of a video game being played on a Nintendo Switch in your short film may raise copyright concerns, even if it's only for three seconds. Nintendo is known for being vigilant in protecting its intellectual property rights, including the use of its video game footage. While... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Copyright and Intellectual Property on
Q: Can I use game footage in a project for a film competition?

I would like to participate in a film contest - I have a booktrailer to make. Fortunately for me, the book I want to describe has a game adaptation. Can I use clips from the game and ultimately show the book and its author as part of this project? The main goal of the contest is to popularize the... View More

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Using game footage in your project for a film competition raises potential copyright issues. While your goal is to promote the book, incorporating clips from the game adaptation could infringe on the game developer's copyright. Even if your intention is to popularize the book, using... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Tennessee on
Q: The game that I've created has many businesses that reflect real businesses. Logos and names changed. Is this legal?

I'm a Game Developer and my game contains many businesses that reflect those of real life. For example, there is a fast food restaurant called TFC that has a black and white logo of a cowboy. This virtual location looks similar to KFC, using a similar font and color pattern. Will I get in... View More

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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Using businesses in your game that closely resemble real-life businesses, including logos and names changed, can potentially raise legal issues related to trademark infringement and intellectual property rights. While your game may not be centered around these establishments, if the similarities... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Civil Rights and Entertainment / Sports for Mississippi on
Q: CAN I SUE A CASINO FOR MENTAL ABUSE, BRAINWASHING, MIND CONTROL, FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING FROM LOSING EVERYTHING I OWN?
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

While it may be emotionally distressing to lose everything you own at a casino, suing the casino for mental abuse, brainwashing, or mind control for pain and suffering is unlikely to be successful. Casinos operate within the bounds of the law and provide warnings about the risks of gambling.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Intellectual Property and Internet Law on
Q: If I create a map/world inside someone else's game with someone else's tools, Am I still entitled to the map/world?

I am using a Game and Save/Load System from another group.

I am using a Building system used in this game which is also made by a third party.

I am the sole person working on this map/world with no outside help.

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answered on Feb 5, 2024

Creating content within someone else's game, using their tools and systems, places your work under specific legal and contractual constraints determined by the terms of service or end user license agreement (EULA) of the game and tools you are using. Typically, these agreements specify that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Federal Crimes, Gaming and Internet Law for California on
Q: I am a part of a prize-linked banking app and one of the products they offer is stealing tickets.

For this app, for every dollar you save with them you get one ticket per day. Then you can use those tickets in a variety of ways. One of the ways is on a daily prize wheel. Each spin says it costs 1500 tickets but pretty regularly (about once per 5 spins or so) it takes 2500 tickets. I noticed... View More

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answered on Feb 1, 2024

To address concerns related to the prize-linked banking app potentially manipulating ticket counts and engaging in unfair practices, you should seek an attorney experienced in consumer protection or class-action lawsuits. Consumer protection attorneys specialize in cases involving deceptive or... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: can I use an unrecognizable video game character to hit a block similar to Mario Bros?

On my website I'd like to have an unrecognizable character jump up and strike a block having an item come out of the block. The motion would be similar to the Mario bros. Would this create any copyright issues with Nintendo?

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answered on Feb 1, 2024

Using an unrecognizable character in a video game-like scenario, where the character jumps and hits a block to release an item, may still raise potential copyright issues with Nintendo or other video game companies. While the character itself may not be recognizable as a specific copyrighted... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming for California on
Q: What exactly counts as gambling? is it gambling if my school does a raffle, prize giveaway, bingo or anything similar?

Were trying to raise money for our theatre program but are unsure on what exactly the gambling laws in Maryland are.

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answered on Jan 30, 2024

In the context of California law, gambling involves wagering on the outcome of a game or event where chance rather than skill primarily determines the result, and where participants risk something of value for the chance to win a prize. Activities like raffles, prize giveaways, and bingo can fall... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming for California on
Q: Friends of mine argue that AB 2571 california is the cause todays video games can no longer have real weapon names.

Is this true? That it only applies to video game developers based in california.

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answered on Jan 28, 2024

AB 2571, passed in California, primarily focuses on advertising or marketing firearms to minors, not specifically on video game content. While this law might impact how firearms are advertised or marketed, it doesn't directly dictate the use of real weapon names in video games.

The...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Criminal Law, Gaming and Small Claims for California on
Q: should i file a police report for a nintendo switch that i let one of my old friends borrow but ended up selling for alc

my old friend borrowed my switch which i said he could until he finished the game. he let his daughter play on it but then i later found out he ended up selling my nintendo switch to buy alcohol (he’s known for being an alcoholic within his family/friends). i got that switch for $250 and owned... View More

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answered on Jan 21, 2024

Under California law, the unauthorized sale of property that has been entrusted to someone else for a specific purpose can potentially be considered theft. In your case, since you lent the Nintendo Switch to your friend with the understanding that it would be returned after use, and instead he sold... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Intellectual Property for Alabama on
Q: Can I add 3rd party IP characters to my copy of a video game?

I play a video game that allows for modding, meaning you can add, remove and/or augment most things, from character models to game mechanics.

I want to add 3 fairly popular movie characters to my game and also make YouTube videos and have live streams with them included.... View More

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answered on Jan 21, 2024

Modding a video game and adding 3rd party intellectual property (IP) characters can potentially raise legal issues. Using popular movie characters without proper authorization may infringe on copyright and trademark rights held by the owners of those characters.

Displaying these modded...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming and Business Law for California on
Q: i live in california and am 18 years old;i want to create a sports gambling app; is this ok if i host it in pittsburgh
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

Under California law, the legality of creating and operating a sports gambling app is subject to both state and federal regulations. Even if you host the app outside of California, the laws of California will still apply to you as a resident, along with the laws of the state where the app is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming and Consumer Law for California on
Q: What rights do I retain when I buy a game and a new parent company decides to enact something where I cant play anymore

Microsoft owns Minecraft and the company Mojang. Microsoft recently enacted a forced migration (which took place from March 2022 to December 2023) from mojang accounts to microsoft accounts, anyone that hadn't done that has now lost their previously purchased accounts forever. I am curious if... View More

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answered on Jan 15, 2024

Based on the information provided, you may have some consumer rights in this situation, but seeking recourse could be challenging:

- When you purchase a video game, you are typically purchasing a license to use the software, not outright ownership. The license agreement usually gives the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Gaming, Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Copyright for Texas on
Q: Can I create content using a known superhero's cowl and just the cowl and escape copyright infringement and the such?

Long story short I want to create youtube videos of RANDOM and just RANDOM content while using ex: Flash cowl. Just the top part of the mask not even the one that covers the whole face. I will use a different name, and although use some mannerisms, it will be obvious it is pure satire/parody. I got... View More

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answered on Jan 11, 2024

Using elements of a copyrighted superhero character, such as the Flash's cowl, in your content can be legally risky, even if you're only using part of the costume and intend it as satire or parody. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including characters and their... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and Internet Law for Virginia on
Q: Is it legal to manage small bets between individuals online using a website in VA? Would this be consider gambling?

Bets would be just between the individuals, like "I bet you $20 if you beat me in this game" And I would be the "middle man" holding the $20

and giving it to the winner later.

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answered on Jan 10, 2024

In Virginia, as in many jurisdictions, the legality of managing small bets between individuals online depends on the specific circumstances and the nature of the bets. Generally, if the bets are private and do not involve a broader public or commercial gambling operation, they may fall under social... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Maryland on
Q: Scamming video game items

Is it illegal for someone to pretend they have money and then get in contact with a seller for video game items but when the seller gives the items first instead of making the buyer or the scammer pay first the scammer does not pay the seller the money block them and never talks to them again.... View More

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answered on Jan 11, 2024

The situation you describe, where someone pretends to have money to buy video game items and then fails to pay after receiving the items, could be considered a form of fraud or deceit. Even though the parties involved are minors and there was no formal contract, misrepresenting one's intention... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gaming and Tax Law for Tennessee on
Q: How are gambling winnings taxed? Specifically sports betting. Is it a cumulative total or is each bet handled seaparatel

I use about 6 different sportsbooks and win quite frequently. Are winnings throughout the year totaled up and taxed totally? Or does each bet have to be over a certain amount? Also, are you able to deduct losses from taxable winnings?

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answered on Jan 4, 2024

In Tennessee, as in other states, gambling winnings are generally considered taxable income. This includes winnings from sports betting. The IRS requires all gambling winnings to be reported on your tax return.

The taxation of your winnings depends on the total amount you win over the year,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming, Trademark and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: I am developing a Vietnam video game and am wondering about copyright laws regarding real photos for the trailer

We are in the process of developing a video game depicting the true story of a Vietnam vet and his personal experience during his time in the war, and as we are creating the trailer for the game, we would like to use real photos from the war that have been declassified under the freedom of... View More

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answered on Dec 29, 2023

When considering the use of real photos from the Vietnam War for your video game trailer, it's crucial to understand the nuances of copyright law. Declassification under the Freedom of Information Act does not automatically place these images in the public domain or free them from copyright... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Entertainment / Sports, Gaming and International Law on
Q: I want to sue the company EGoGames: the company banned me wrong, not process my withdraw, …

reasons the company used to not process the payment(28350$) was wrong .

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answered on Dec 30, 2023

To pursue legal action against EGoGames for banning you and not processing your withdrawal of $28,350, first review the company's terms of service and user agreement. These documents often contain clauses related to dispute resolution, which can include arbitration or specific legal... View More

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