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New York Copyright Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Hello: Cates v. Shlemovitz, et al. No.3:21-cv-00805 (N.D.N.Y. 2022) Am appealing # 23-750 2nd circuit.

Searching for the case # of the Dragnet controversy, over 4 notes (dum, da,dum,dum.) Can you help find that case? Thank you., on my own behalf. here is what I found https://library.syracuse.edu/blog/dragnet-a-musical-controversy/

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 30, 2023

The case involving the "Dragnet" musical controversy was a copyright dispute over a four-note motif originally composed by Miklós Rózsa for the film "The Killers" in 1946, which was later used in the "Dragnet" theme music by Walter Schumann. The case was eventually... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: So If a company doesn't renew a license deal for a game is it still illegal to pirate the game?

In 2017 Activision didn't renew a licensing deal they had with Marvel so they had to take down all of their Marvel games they had published. So I wanted to know if it would still be illegal to download any of those games through a website even though there is no possible way to get those games... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 18, 2023

Whether a company has renewed a licensing deal or not, it is still illegal to pirate a game. The expiration of a licensing deal, such as the one between Activision and Marvel, affects the company's ability to sell or distribute the game, but it does not affect the copyright status of the game.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for New York on
Q: Can I trade mark Diddle Hatt

I want to trademark this word phrase

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 23, 2023

Assuming no one else already has, it is possible to trademark such a phrase in connection with your products or services. I assume this will be used in connection with some particular headwear brand.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Copyright, Civil Rights, Gaming and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Doesn't censorship of a product after point of sale present some legal challanges?

What of censorship in general? the freedom of speech and exspression mean nothing when there's no one or no way to hear it.

I'm very concerned about the pressures from many special interest groups and diverse and even opposing political parties trying to control or cancel people... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 11, 2023

You have raised a multi-faceted issue that encompasses both the legal domain and the evolving norms in society.

From a legal standpoint, private companies like game developers and publishers generally have a broad latitude to modify their products as they see fit, including post-sale. This...
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Q: MarkTwain and Censorship. appeals?

I believe that, once upon a time, a publisher published the works of mark twain but censored what may have been offensive. The censorship won out in the end. (evil won in that case) but i wonder if that case was disputed further and appealed. does anyone know?

The Roald Dhal censorship was... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

I'm familiar with historical cases of censorship, such as those involving Mark Twain's works, but whether a specific case was appealed and overturned would require a thorough review of the legal history and court records. Appeals and potential outcomes depend on various factors, including... View More

Q: The Skullgirls team has taken a digital product that many people purchased and altered it in very significant ways.

The Skullgirls team has taken a digital product that many people purchased and altered it in very significant ways. They've cut out entire pages from the art book, removed and re-announced voice lines, and drawn over concept art to make it less offensive. The current Skullgirls team, while... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 15, 2023

While I understand your concerns, changes made to digital products like art books or video games fall under the discretion of the creators and developers. If these changes are made by the current team or company, and they own the rights to the product, they generally have the authority to modify... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, Intellectual Property and Copyright for New York on
Q: Do I have as a software developer the right to confiscate source code, if the customer denies to pay the last 10%
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 3, 2023

If you reached out to attorneys, they would ask about the terms of your agreement, as my colleague points out. It could depend on who is identified as the owner of the code. The intellectual property attorneys here would have insight into the issues that could arise in terms of ownership, if you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for New York on
Q: Etsy asks me to contact a lawyer for being unable to process a counter notice

I am a seller on etsy. I filed a counter notice for an incorrect report

from a competitor on one of my listings that had received a DMCA from them.

The next day etsy sends me an email telling that they won´t process my counter notice.

They told me that I would need to... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jul 6, 2023

Have an IP lawyer look into the case to evaluate your options.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Formation and Business Law for New York on
Q: What process would I have to go through to get permission to use Miller logo on some of my clothing brand designs?
Eugene Vamos
Eugene Vamos
answered on Jun 21, 2023

Most prudent way is to contact Miller's licensing department and obtain an license for the use of their logo.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for New York on
Q: I am designing a Champagne flights menu with “The Concorde” and “The Dreamliner.” Is this copyright infringement?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 16, 2023

Your post may have been overlooked for two weeks because it left out a category that could also be relevant to your concerns - you chose the names of two highly recognized commercial passenger aircraft. You could repost and add "Trademark" to your original two categories. That might give... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Intellectual Property, Trademark and Copyright for New York on
Q: Can I use any sauropod image for my educational small business or non profit if Sinclair has a similar dinosaur image?
Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Apr 5, 2023

You need to conduct a copyright search to determine whether you are potentially infringing on Sinclair’s IP. You should also run a trademark knockout search to see whether your dinosaur is a registered or common law brand, or resembles one closely enough to create a “likelihood of confusion”... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Do I own the artwork after paying a "boardwalk artist" for my caricature?

I paid the artist for my caricature, and (because I have a sense of humor) I later decided to use it in my online marketing materials. Do I need his permission? And since he signed the work, must I include his signature when using the work?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Mar 15, 2023

Because you paid the artist, it is a "work for hire" and owned by you. If you are using the work for commercial purposes, it would be prudent to register the copyright in the work and in the application you will identify the artist as having created the work for you.

You have no...
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3 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together.

A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together. Can he himself represent the music legally and handle the copyright registration? He would also have to be the legal third-party regarding the publishing company. It seems to me this would all present a conflict of... View More

Giselle Ayala Mateus
Giselle Ayala Mateus
answered on Mar 10, 2023

If you and him are business partners, one may thing that their interests are aligned. However, it may not be the case for ever. It is a good practice to have independent counsel. Thereafter, you can make an informed decision as to who should be in charge of the legal aspects of the registration of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: As an American with Caribbean heritage I seek help in getting paid from a Publishing company that is using my name for

My name for free and has refused to pay for the book and it content they are selling online as a collectible against my will and knowledge. I would like to file a suit against this company for millions of dollars since 2017 to this writing I have not been given a dime for my work, beside $100 for... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 8, 2023

This may be something that a copyright/intellectual property attorney would have insight into. You could repost and add Copyright and Intellectual Property as categories. Not all questions are picked up on this forum, but you might increase chances for a response by adding those headings. Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for New York on
Q: What laws must I know to write a book or movie about a fictional version of a recentish event, mentioning real names?

The event in question took place a couple of decades ago. Some of the main people involved are dead and some are alive. It's a relatively well known/publicized event, though not everyone's involvement is super well known its all easily available in news articles. I want to know about... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Feb 3, 2023

You potentially have to contend with the New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, New York’s “Right of Privacy” law, which prohibit the use “for advertising purposes, or for the purposes of trade” of the name, portrait or picture of any living person without obtaining his or her prior... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Civil Rights for New York on
Q: Hi. I downloaded an app facedance and took pic of my coworker and it showed his face dance. Can he sue me for that?

He asked me to send it to him

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2023

It's unlikely that your coworker could sue you for taking a picture of him using an app, as long as you had his consent to take the picture. However, if he did not give his consent and you took the picture in a place where he had a reasonable expectation of privacy, he may have a case for... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Business Law and Copyright for New York on
Q: If the customer saw the mistake and remained silent until the process is completed, am I still liable?

A customer asked me to plant ten trees in her yard. My worker planted the wrong kind of trees. The customer saw it after the third tree but remained silent. After planting all the trees, she demanded to get rid of the wrong trees and plant the right ones at a 25% discount. Another offer she had is... View More

Samuil Buschkin
Samuil Buschkin pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jan 22, 2023

You should speak to a lawyer because ALL details and fine points matter for a correct analysis. Generally, the parties are bound by the terms of the agreement. If the customer wants to modify (renegotiate) the agreement it can be done only per the terms of the agreement and with the other... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: What can I do if I have created a design, uploaded it online and it has been used uncredited, a copyright violation?

If I have uploaded a design on a file-sharing website under a Creative Commons non-commercial license, and somebody uses it uncredited for a commercial purpose. If the site refuses to take it down, what recourse do I have?

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 17, 2023

If your copyright is unregistered, you can only file a lawsuit where you will have to prove damages such as lost profits. The better move is to register your copyright with the USPTO. Then you will have access to statutory damages (only requiring proof of infringement) of anywhere between 750 and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for New York on
Q: TRO expired on January 12th. The Court required me to explain irreparable harm if I have a motion for a PIO.

1. All documents were still Under Seal on January 3rd. Then The Court required me to disclose. I disclosed all documents on January 6th, 2023. ( See the attached file.)

2. The defendant made defamation statements against me when he has not seen any document on January 3rd, 2023. This is... View More

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 16, 2023

Any attorney would need more information to figure out what is going on and advise you how to proceed.

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Copyright for New York on
Q: RE: Comedians Intellectual Property. Assume I produce YouTube videos as tributes to specific comedians and their content

Does the attribution to the original comedian overcome copyright? And, would the answer be different if the videos were free to the public versus being included in a fee based subscription?

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 20, 2023

No, attribution is not a defense to copyright infringement. Fair use might be a defense. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act provides for certain cases where permission from the rights holder is not required. Courts assess whether the "fair use" defense applies based on four factors:... View More

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