Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Samples without giving my specific brand away would be: Fisherman's Food Network or Hunter's Food Network or Doctor's Food Network etc...
answered on May 3, 2020
Using the name "Food Network" for your brand may very likely infringe on the trademark rights of the existing Food Network brand. Infringement may occur when there is a likelihood of confusion as to the source of the goods represented by the mark. Adding a word to an existing trademark... View More 
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 21, 2020
It's not clear which song you intend on playing, where and how. The song in the public domain may be able to be used, but the person who wrote the new song has copyright protection in their song.
Hello. I'm looking to officially "start" my business and I've noticed that the name appears to be at least partially trademarked. The company using it is Relapse Records and have "Relapse" trademarked. I'm looking to create "Relapse Gaming".
answered on Apr 19, 2020
You need to see what classification(s) has the other party registered their mark in with the USPTO. It is possible that your use for "gaming" would not fall in the same class as "records." For example three parties each own the identical mark "DOMINION". This is... View More
Could it be a copyright violation to show a product photo without permission?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 25, 2020
Use of another's photograph without permission is likely infringement. There are defenses to infringement, bit they are just that, defenses. That means there is still the ability to be sued for infringement and you have to hope that your defense prevails. It also depends on how you're... View More
We are doing a marching band halftime show in 2020 that is heavily based in satire. I'd like to use the title "Bands Against Humanity" as it perfectly describes the "satire" and humor elements of our theme. I reached out to the game manufacturer for Cards Against Humanity... View More
answered on Mar 16, 2020
Yes, if they have a registered trademark, then it would include slight variations on it. Trademarks are typically limited to specific goods and services as they are listed within the application. However, by hosting this type of event, CAH could make a claim that you are diluting their brand name... View More
So it's very immature, it's about one friend banging another friends mom. It's 52,000 words right now and I intend to make it longer. If my friends mom, who is very uptight, gets a hold of it, could I be sued? What if I don't sell it and just print some copies for me and my... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 20, 2020
I'm not licensed in Pennsylvania but the likelihood of being sued it would depend on a number of things. First, it would depend on what Pennsylvania's laws are for defamation and right of publicity. If you publish a false statement of fact about a person to another person you could be... View More
can i use a comic book character for commercial use if i edit them heavily and make them my own character with cutting and other such edits. Most comic book characters are public domain.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 18, 2020
Characters may be protected by copyright or trademark. Oftentimes, trademark protection can outlast copyright protection and vice versa because they are dependent on different things. I would suggest enlisting the assistance of an IP attorney to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for an... View More
The photo is heavily altered, does not use his name or the original book title, and only uses the cover art
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 16, 2020
Usually the copyright page of the book will tell you who to contact for permissions. You may want to start with the publishing company as they usually get all permissions in the publishing agreement. If they don’t have the rights, they should be able to direct you to the right person.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 5, 2020
The Philly LOVE statute has been the source of contentious litigation numerous times. Even though the artist died in recent years, there are others who claim to own the copyright in the sculpture. There is also a claimed trademark registration for various goods for the LOVE sculpture. Artists... View More
answered on Apr 19, 2019
You need to find out if someone else is using it. The Navy PX is called NEX and would have at least a service mark if not a trademark. There would be a problem if a Court found there was confusion. So I think unless you get their permission that isn't likely but I would suggest you contact a... View More
I've been asked to take down a product on my art shop that is listed as "The Boston Marathon" apparently that text or logo is trademarked by the baa. I do not use any of their logos or trademarks on my product, just describe the product as the Boston Marathon. Am I still infringing... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2019
You can't use that phrase as it is owned by someone else. There's no way to get around it other than asking for permission to use it and being approved.
Many vendors in Pittsburgh sell merchandise with this logo. My listing was removed by Etsy after notice of intellectual property infringement from NFL Properties, LLC. This logo can be looked up on Google as "Pittsburgh Combined Team Logo". The only portion of the Pittsburgh Steelers logo... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2019
Nope. Most leagues have enforcement teams and will depend on how strongly they enforce their rights.
You want logos or brands that are as far away from those registered products as possible.
NFL owns the names, logos, art of all teams, so you run into problems the closer you get to... View More
The park was part of a larger failed chain across the US that went under around the same time.
answered on Feb 4, 2019
I don't see why not--assuming the images aren't copyrighted. If they were the copyright may have expired.
answered on Oct 28, 2018
Read the fine print. If you get attribution, that's the major point. You can always redo another version your way.
I have been a huge fan of ww1 and ww2 engineering and designs. I love to use military items to create totally new designs that celebrate a famous ship or a plane for example. I also create fictional stories within the ww1/2 era by using famous planes and cars in scenes (like artist James Dietz does... View More
answered on Jun 20, 2018
As long as you aren't lifting the entire image and photo reproducing it no. You may paint a subject already painted--many art students do this. I'm not seeing the concern. If you are painting an aircraft shown in a photo it's not a copyright violation. I believe you may be over... View More
This is a high school website, and the pictures are from a class project I ran. I do not want that information displayed since I don't work there anymore. Thank you.
answered on May 29, 2018
It depends on who owns the copyright to the pictute, you or your former employer. Here is a resource from the copyright office that explains works made for hire: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf
The name we choose is I.U.W.T but the only problem that I see is that someone else has the name but without the punctuation marks. Can we still use the name?
answered on May 22, 2018
It depends on several factors, such as the goods and services associated with the other mark, what is claimed in the application, how long the mark has been in use, among others. An attorney would need to review all the facts to answer this question.
I am creating a presentation to do at a conference to teachers. It deals with self esteem and the music is from the Greatest Showman. There will be some students dancing to some portions of the music from the show. I will also be doing a traditional lecture on self esteem between parts of the... View More
answered on May 4, 2018
If it's no charge then I believe if it's a limited use and no recording then you may use the music; if you are really concerned call the library of Congress copywright office.
This is for a history course we are publishing. As part of the course, schools will purchase a number of trade books. The classroom PowerPoint will include images from those books. The schools will own a print copy of any such books already; do we need to pursue permissions for placing the images... View More
answered on May 2, 2018
Yes, you need to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Purchasing a book does not provide the right to reproduce images in the book.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
