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I tried to be as vague as possible in describing things, but sticking to the events in the storyline. The characters do the same things, but I do not mention their names.
Essentially, I tried to make the story not be readily recognizable, but it's possible people do (I don't know... View More 
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answered on Nov 15, 2024
Your situation touches on an interesting area of copyright law regarding derivative works. While you can't copyright ideas or general plot elements, the specific expression of those ideas (including character development, dialogue patterns, and unique plot sequences) is protected.... View More
My mother co signed a car with me. I have been the primary driver of the car including primary payer of the car. Both our names are on the car title. But she has threatened to sell the car and has been withholding the car from me. I currently do not know where the car is, I have tried to be civil... View More
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answered on Sep 8, 2024
If both you and your mother are listed on the car title, you both have legal ownership of the vehicle. This means that neither you nor your mother can sell or withhold the car from the other without consent. Since you are the primary driver and payer, you have a strong argument for possession, but... View More
I asked for initial photo and the employee took 41 found out the next day when I demanded they send them. Did not request or consent to photo being uploaded to site for filters or lots of pictures to be taken. The company states they deleted the photos but data still exists of course. And violating... View More
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answered on Sep 5, 2024
It's frustrating to feel that your privacy has been violated, especially when you didn’t consent to photos being taken or manipulated. The situation you described involves both privacy and potential data protection concerns, particularly if the company or employee used your images without... View More
I'm a Sunday Bible school teacher for children at my church, and I sing songs with them during our class. Is that legal?
If I start playing the guitar with these songs, would it still be legal? Everything is done in our church kid's classroom
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answered on Aug 30, 2024
Yes, you can legally sing songs with the children in your Sunday school class under the church copyright exemption. The exemption generally covers performances of music as part of a religious service, and Sunday school can be considered part of the church's educational and religious... View More
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answered on Jun 14, 2024
Reclaiming the name "Sincity Deciples" involves a few steps to ensure you can legally use it. First, check with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to see if the name is currently trademarked. If it has been abandoned, you may be able to file a new trademark application for it.... View More
Signed deal for 1 product and now asking for revenue share from everything else that was developed later on but no agreement / amendment was signed?
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answered on May 18, 2024
In general, a person or company cannot claim revenue share for products they did not have a signed agreement for. If they only signed an agreement related to one specific product, that would typically not entitle them to revenue from other products developed later unless those subsequent products... View More
I made a website that uses free copyrighted values. The owner claims that my site acts as a material substitute for their site and demands I remove all references and usage of their values. I don't know if there's anything I can do in this situation besides comply.
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answered on Mar 1, 2024
In this situation, it's important to carefully review the claims made by the owner of the copyrighted values and assess whether your website does indeed act as a material substitute for their site. Consider the extent to which your website relies on or replicates the copyrighted values, and... View More
We are starting an online business called Highly Legal Herbs. We have filed a trademark for multiple clothing items with this name. Do we have to file a trademark for anything else on the business name to protect it?
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answered on Feb 25, 2024
Starting an online business and deciding on what to trademark involves strategic planning to protect your brand effectively. When you file a trademark for clothing items under the name "Highly Legal Herbs," you're taking a significant step in protecting your brand within the clothing... View More
I'd like to post content to Onlyfans and add stickers from a photo editing application that are characters from anime shows.
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answered on Dec 1, 2023
Using anime stickers from a photo editing application on pictures you intend to post on Onlyfans can raise copyright issues, particularly if the characters are copyrighted material. Copyright laws protect the creators' rights to their works, including anime characters, and using these... View More
answered on Nov 6, 2023
If you are buying items on Alibaba or other similar cites and intend on reselling them, it is very important to do a patent search to try and determine if the product is patented. If it looks very similar to another product, you should see if the product indicates that it has a patent or patent... View More
I believe that my father invented things for the government and or contractors. How can I know for sure if it is him and not someone with the same name?
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answered on Jul 10, 2023
To determine if your father is the inventor of certain patents, you can take several steps. Start by gathering information about your father's work history and any potential inventions he may have been involved in. Check if he had any affiliations with government agencies or contractors. Next,... View More
I am looking to add the phrase to clothing and promo items such as mugs, wall art, etc. Also, pay attention to how I utilize the lower case of "i am" and uppercase of "UNIQUE" as well. Not sure that matters.
Would this be permissible, or enfringe on the trademark?
answered on May 17, 2023
It would depend in part on what each seller is selling. The purpose of a trademark is to help consumers distinguish between sellers, so that consumers know the specific "source" of the products/services they're buying. Using a phrase that someone else is already using to sell... View More
Some merchants are actually changing the hair in her pics or editing her face. It’s been stressful and humiliating and she’s lost hundreds of thousands in potential revenue.
answered on May 9, 2023
Whether your daughter might be able to win a lawsuit depends in part on who owns the copyrights to the images. Since she was modeling for someone else, it is likely that they own the copyrights. Therefore, they would have the right to allow others to use the images. She should start by speaking... View More
answered on Mar 23, 2023
It depends. Two people may be able to use the same trademark to each sell a different product or service, if doing so wouldn't confuse consumers. [EX: Delta Air Lines and Delta Faucet] However, unless and until a knowledgeable attorney assesses the likelihood of confusion (or lack thereof), it... View More
answered on Jan 30, 2023
Trademark registrations are cancelled in most instances due to the failure of its owner to file with the USPTO a statement of continuing use. These maintenance filings are due in the fifth year after registration and in the ninth year to renew for another ten year term.
Just because a... View More
answered on Oct 27, 2022
Artwork and typography are usually protected by copyright law. And brands (company names and logos) are protected through trademark law. The answer to your question should start with figuring out who owns the rights to the image or trademark that you want to use.
answered on Oct 16, 2022
I can only guess, based on information provided, that you mean trademarked logo and not patented logo. If this is the case, no you can not use trademark of someone else to create your own product. It could be copyright or trademark infringement. However for more complete answer you should seek a... View More
answered on Sep 22, 2022
Yes, this work should already be considered as in public domain as it was published in 1920.
I am preparing a manuscript for a commercially available book. I want to print url's of articles published on commercial sites to provide background reading for the reader. Are url's copyrighted? Can I use them without permission? Also, are the titles of such articles copyrighted? If... View More
answered on Aug 10, 2021
Good question. You should consult with an attorney on this.
A URL is like the title of a book or article, so it may fall under fair use.
Essentially I was promised the same type of equity the owner had as part of my total compensation. This is in writing through emails and recorded conversations. The owner was looking at an outside person for advice on many situations, whereby this outsider told me to take action contrary to the... View More
answered on Dec 6, 2020
It depends. The primary issue will be what does the written document say about the "equity" and the effect your termination has on it. You should consult with an employment attorney as soon as possible.
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