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Texas Intellectual Property Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Can I put a copyrighted sticker on a cup to sell if I bought the sticker from the copyright holder?

For example- If I buy a sticker from Disney and I put the sticker I purchased on a cup and I sell the cup would that be legal since I did not make the sticker. I would also be purchasing the sticker legally from them.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
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answered on Jan 21, 2023

Yes, thanks to the "first sale doctrine" codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, which provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Traffic Tickets for Texas on
Q: Is it legal for a cop to take you to jail for not stopping at a designated stopping point in a dim license plate light
Grant St Julian III
Grant St Julian III
answered on Jan 10, 2023

The short answer is yes, an officer can take a person into custody for a traffic offense instead of issuing a citation (except for speeding)

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Will it work if I register my work with the US Copyright Office as unpublished, then later decide to publish it?

If I register my work with the US Copyright Office as unpublished, then later I decide to publish my work, will I still be protected, and will I still be able to use my copyright paperwork if needed?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
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answered on Jan 2, 2023

You can apply to register the unpublished work and submit a copy. But when you publish it, you should then apply to register the published work and submit what the copyright office calls the "best edition".

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: can i get in trouble for using pictures i took for work, for personal matters?

for personal matters, not to sell the pictures

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 23, 2022

If the pictures were creative works, you could be violating your former employer's copyright interests in such works. Typically, under the work for hire doctrine, the copyright for creative works made by an employee belongs to the employer, not to the individual employee that created them.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Texas on
Q: Can the formula for a specific type of concrete be patented?

I have developed a type of concrete specifically for my use making Anaerobic Digesters, which exhibits specific properties beneficial to the structure and operation of Mesophilic Anaerobic Digesters intended to be installed and operated as generational (extended time-frame) projects.

Stephen E. Zweig
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answered on Nov 9, 2022

Yes. Like all patents, however, the formula needs to be novel and not obvious. Check patents.google.com or other source to see prior art on concrete formulas. The good news and bad news is that there are a lot of concrete formula patents ahead of you. The examiner will be looking at your patent... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: My sister wrote a book and put my name and private info about my molestation with father in it without my permission.
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Nov 2, 2022

Writing a book based on familiarity with events that occurred in real life is not a copyright infringement.

Now, if you had written a book about your experience and your sister then wrote her own book using part of what you had written in your book, then there might be copyright infringement.

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: If I have created a cartoon character (original drawing) how do I protect it from being used (name or design) by others?

I have a character that I have designed and I have a name for that character. I plan to feature the character in merchandise, apparel, comic strips, digital media, original stories, posters and other artwork. How can I protect my character and character name from being used by other businesses or... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
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answered on Oct 8, 2022

The cartoon character can be the subject of a copyright registration, and its name can be a registered trademark.

You should register the copyright of a set of drawings that show the character in various poses from different angles.

Then, if the name of the character is novel and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Is it legal to create a website on the topic of quotes? I'm thinking of starting a quotes site, with curated content.

The website would specifically be ALL about quotes. Inspirational, motivational, etc.

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Oct 3, 2022

Many websites use same concept and they always state the author of the sentence. This should be legal in most of jurisdiction throughout the world. However do not cite large portions of texts from the books.

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Texas on
Q: Does a US method patent protect the domestic sale of foreign-made-goods constructed via the US-patented method?

I think I have a novel method of manufacturing a category of widgets. The method will make manufacture cheaper and faster for a subset of these widgets (but not all). My target audience for these widgets is within the US. Each individual widget could receive its own utility patent, but it... View More

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Sep 28, 2022

Dear Mrs or Mr,

in your described case, I would say that as the patent is the territorial right that you would be protected in the territory of the U.S. However I am an IP lawyer in EU, so I am taking into account the principles of IP law and my legal knowledge. So in order to be sure about...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Texas on
Q: Is it legal to use screenshots from software I've purchased, in training course material I create and sell - screenshots

only, not the software itself - without compensation to or permission of software seller?

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on May 3, 2022

There is not a patent question here. This is a question of your end user agreement and possibly copyright law.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Constitutional Law, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Is fair use subject to interpretation regardless of facts?

If I record a full cover (track and vocal) of a popular song, and release it on social media with no compensation, no expectation of compensation, no request for monetary support, strictly for the purpose of exhibition, entertainment, and to receive interaction (comments and/or likes) from viewers,... View More

Liliana Di Nola-Baron
Liliana Di Nola-Baron
answered on Mar 2, 2022

You should consult an attorney.

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: How to prevent theft of a template/its framework for consulting. End result is a customized digital document each time.
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Nov 28, 2021

You can start by registering the copyright.

Enforcement will be up to you, via civil courts.

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Is it legal to purchase a book from overseas over the Internet and have it shipped to the US?

I’m considering buying a book online from a bookstore in the UK and having it shipped to me in the US because the British edition is much more attractive than the US edition (this would be shipped by the retailer using the postal system). The thing is, the US edition and UK edition are published... View More

Teri A. Walter
Teri A. Walter
answered on Nov 11, 2021

Buy the book - there's no problem with what you described.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: This patent was invented by my father. He is deceased. What happens to the patent?

His old job “Circuit Image Systems” is shown on the patent but they seem to be closed. John Leon is co inventor and I cannot find him.

Kathryn Perales
Kathryn Perales
answered on Sep 29, 2021

If you are referring to patent 6445969, inventors Jim Kenney and John Leon, this patent has expired and is now in the public domain. If you look it up on Google patents, you can see the details.

4 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Consumer Law, Criminal Law and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Can I use the term "law" in my email address title without being a lawyer? Example: Jason.Smith.Law@yahoo.com.

I am a law student and have an email address with the term "law" in it. I am not a lawyer, however, and have never stated that I am. Is it legal for me to continue to use this email address without being a lawyer? Don't I have speech protections so long as I am not actively trying to... View More

Omar Darwich
Omar Darwich
answered on Jul 15, 2021

best and easiest way to get a proper answer is to just contact your local state bar's ethics hotline

good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Can recipes be copywrited?

I have older recipes, but have no idea if they are copied from any magazines, newspapers, etc. Can a recipe that is in a cookbook be changed and therefore not get in trouble if it is a copywriter? I would like to take recipes that serve larger portions, and change it to serve 2 people.

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Jun 17, 2021

You can register the copyright of recipies.

Whether it can be defended or not will depend on the content.

1 Answer | Asked in Identity Theft, Internet Law and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: A woman stealed a photo of me and my exgirlfriend and she uses it as a profile photo in social media. I’m married?

A woman stealed a photo of me and my exgirlfriend and she uses it as a profile photo in social media to say that I’m dating her while this is a lie. In the photo I’m kissing my ex girlfriend but only my face can be seen while my ex girlfriend face is hidden. She only uses that photo. I’m... View More

Randy Sorrels
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Randy Sorrels
answered on Jun 5, 2021

If she has put you in a false light by using this photo, then you may have a claim against her. You should first ask her to remove the photo immediately (in writing) though as an alternative to filing a lawsuit.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: In 2001 a well known music artist signed all his right away under duress. His life was threatened if he didn't sign.

Can he file suit since it was under duress? There is alot of money in royalties on the line

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on May 10, 2021

You definitely have to run very fast to talk to an attorney.

There may be some criminal issues as well.

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Trademark, Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: A nonprofit organization voluntarily dissolved, there was a trademark name held by the organization, can I acquire it?

The nonprofit voluntarily dissolved as of 4/30/2021 and will not be re-organizing. They held a trademark which according to the USPTO there's been no action on it since 2016 and doesn't reflect an "assignment." I have a similar nonprofit and would like to acquire that... View More

Evelyn Suero
Evelyn Suero
answered on May 2, 2021

The USPTO will refuse to register a trademark when an identical or similar trademark is already registered. Typically, when a nonprofit is dissolved, it is required to transfer all of its assets and property to another nonprofit. It is possible that another organization may now own the mark.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: Who owns copyright for single member LLC?

I am a single-member owner of an LLC. I have a website for my company in which I created all of the blogs for. I submitted a group of published short literary works copyright application and I listed myself as the author but said the claimant is my LLC and that I was transferring the rights to the... View More

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Apr 14, 2021

Probably both.

For beginners you need to consult with an attorney.

In general if you are granting your rights to a company, whether you own or not, it is the company the owner then.

An LLC can be a pass through entity for tax purposes, but can be an independent entity for...
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