Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Trademark legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Trademark Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Oregon on
Q: What are the copyright laws for building interiors (specifically in France)?

I'd like to create a video game set in the Palais Garnier in Paris, but I'm unsure of the copyright laws surrounding such buildings. I've concluded that the exterior of the building, as it is in a public space and was built in the late 1800s, is free use. However, I'd like to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 29, 2024

When creating a video game set in the Palais Garnier, you’ll need to consider both architectural and artistic rights. The building itself, having been constructed in the late 1800s, is likely in the public domain, allowing you to recreate the general layout and main auditorium without infringing... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark on
Q: can i use a name for a that somebody has already trademarked but im selling beauty products and they are selling drinks?
Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Dec 28, 2024

Generally, if the trademark is in a different class of goods and services then a registered mark and there would be no likelihood of confusion by consumers a mark can be registered. It is best to consult a trademark specialist to conduct a search and review the already registered mark compared to... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports and Trademark on
Q: Looking to get a trademark where in Hartford area can I make this happen?

Artist

US Class Codes002, 005, 022, 023, 029, 037, 038, 050

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 26, 2024

To secure a trademark in the Hartford area, you have several options worth considering.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) handles all federal trademark registrations, and while they don't have a physical office in Hartford, you can work with a qualified intellectual property...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark on
Q: Does the similarity between “Lendmi” and “Lenme” pose a significant likelihood of consumer confusion?

I am currently exploring the launch of a peer-to-peer lending platform named Lendmi. During my research, I discovered that a platform called Lenme, operating in the same P2P lending space, is registered as a trademark in the United States.

Given the similarities in pronunciation and the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 26, 2024

The similarity between "Lendmi" and "Lenme" could indeed create a considerable risk of consumer confusion, particularly given that both operate in the peer-to-peer lending market. The shared first syllable "Lend" combined with similar-sounding short endings might lead... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it legal to sell UNBRANDED products on-line (via eBay) without restriction? Product not made by original manufacturer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 21, 2024

Selling unbranded products online requires careful consideration of several legal aspects.

The legality depends on whether these products infringe on existing trademarks, patents, or intellectual property rights. While selling generic, unbranded items is generally allowed, you must ensure...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Gaming, Intellectual Property, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Florida on
Q: Hello, I found an OGL for a game called OpenD6, I was seeking help with understanding the OGL

I am working on a tabletop game with an Open Game License, I was just wanting to make a little side project I could publicly put out there/gain donations for the project and not get into legal hot water.

My game is generic, so I know that bit won't cause any issues, but, I'd... View More

Alan Harrison
PREMIUM
Alan Harrison pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 20, 2024

Open game licenses are interesting beasts because the fundamental concepts and mechanics of tabletop games are not protectable by any form of intellectual property. This is a particular interest of mine and one that I'd be glad to discuss in depth offline.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Gaming and Trademark on
Q: Is it legally safe to use a company name in Canada that was used by an inactive US studio with no registered trademarks?

We want to launch and incorporate a videogame company in Canada (Ontario) that legally incorporates our subsidiary game studios. However, we discovered that there is (or used to be) a studio with the same name in the US (California).

However, after doing some research, the following was... View More

Alan Harrison
PREMIUM
Alan Harrison pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 19, 2024

U.S. Trademark rights are established and maintained by using a mark in interstate commerce. I'm not a Canadian lawyer so can't really speak to Canadian TM rights. Anyway, if a mark is not used for a period of time, the rights lapse. This would be the case even if there were a... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Oregon on
Q: If I sell a coffee blend called “Goondocks Blend” am I at risk of trademark infringement?
Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 18, 2024

That's a great question. I highly recommend that you hire a competent trademark attorney to run a clearance search before you launch the brand. That search should take approximately 1-3 hours, depending on how many results need to be reviewed. If you get the green light, you should also... View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Trademark, Entertainment / Sports and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: How can I claim the right to use a similar band name that was previously trademarked?

The name we had intended to use populates under USPTO search but is marked as dead and expired, and is not currently in the process of being renewed . Their usage is the singular case of the word while our usage is plural (we add an "s" to the end of the word). They aren't actively... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 15, 2024

File a trademark application with the USPTO.

Please note: the fees are non-refundable. I highly recommend using a competent trademark attorney to run a clearance search first to ensure that the mark you want to use is actually available. For example, there is a way for recently abandoned...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Colorado on
Q: Can I post pictures of tile work I did as a subcontractor on my instagram?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 12, 2024

Taking photos of your completed tile work can be tricky from a legal perspective, as several factors come into play.

Generally, you can share photos of your craftsmanship on Instagram if you have permission from both the property owner and the general contractor. Make sure to respect any...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for New York on
Q: OmniFocus is a registered trademark of The Omni Group task managment. Would using OmniTasker be a issue?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 11, 2024

Using OmniTasker could potentially create trademark issues with The Omni Group, who owns the "OmniFocus" trademark and several other "Omni-" prefixed product names in the task management software space.

Trademark law aims to prevent consumer confusion about the source of...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark on
Q: Can I trademark "GOD MODE" for a clothing brand?

I see the trademark exists but in other industries.

David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Dec 4, 2024

GODMODE (as a single word) is currently registered for athletic apparel. In view of this, you're unlikely to be able to register GOD MODE for clothing.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Copyright for Tennessee on
Q: How to avoid trademark infringement when making a derivative work based off public domain content?

I am aware that the Felix the Cat theatrical shorts are in public domain, but the character is trademarked by Dreamworks. Because of this, what should I do to avoid trademark infringement if I want to create a derivative work based off the original shorts?

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 7, 2024

When creating derivative works based on Felix the Cat's public domain shorts, you'll need to be very careful to differentiate your creation from the trademarked properties owned by DreamWorks. Focus on using only elements directly from the pre-1923 shorts, and make clear visual and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Libel & Slander and Trademark for Ohio on
Q: Criticized a city logo for looking like a local business' trademarked logo. Will I be pursued for defamation?

City logo was designed by a city official in their freelance business. I stated that the city and designer should expect an injunction from the company with the trademarked logo. I was posting on social media as a concerned citizen. I stated that the level of carelessness in the logo could be... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 3, 2024

Truth is generally the strongest defense against defamation claims, and expressing your honest opinion about potential trademark issues would likely be protected speech. Your comments appear focused on legitimate public concerns about government spending and potential legal risks to taxpayers,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: How can you purchase and register a trademark once it has a '606 - Abandoned - No Statement Of Use' filed?

I am specifically interested in acquiring trade mark Serial # 87847526. If possible could you send your answer to :

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 2, 2024

If the trademark application/registration is abandoned, then anyone can file a trademark application to claim it.

USPTO application fees are non-refundable, and currently take about 9 months before an examiner will pick up your application. I highly encourage you to hire a competent...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Texas on
Q: I have a Book trademarked in Australia, does it also work worldwide and in the USA or do I have to have a US trademark?
Felicia Altman
Felicia Altman
answered on Dec 1, 2024

In order to have protection in the US a Trademark must be filed in the United States with the USPTO. An Australia trademark does not protect you worldwide or outside the registered country.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: I recently filed a trademark application for my aquarium supply business, InstaQuarium (serial #98108530). While I have

received a Notice of Publication, my current listing of goods (Aquarium ornaments; Aquariums; Artificial aquarium landscapes) has changed. I no longer have plans to use any of the classes I filed for as my product line changed after I submitted the filing.

I will now be selling live... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 3, 2024

Hi, you are asking a very specific legal question about trademark law. I highly encourage you to retain a competent trademark attorney to answer this question for several reasons:

First, most lawyers have liability insurance that prohibits them from answering detailed legal questions...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Arizona on
Q: trying to release clothing line where on the front with brand logo it says: Hold The Line but don’t want legal issues

The Hoodie and T Shirt Line is based off my recently release Autobiographical Memoir: The Fifth General Order by Jonathan Phillips

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 1, 2024

You'll want to conduct a thorough trademark search before using "Hold The Line" on clothing, as this phrase has been used in various contexts, including by other apparel brands. Given that your usage connects to your published memoir, you might have stronger grounds for using it, but... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark on
Q: How can I claim a trademark that is not under use anymore?
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 11, 2024

To claim an abandoned trademark, you'll need to conduct thorough research to confirm the mark is genuinely abandoned. Start by searching the USPTO database to verify the trademark's current status and find out when it was last renewed or used in commerce. Remember that a trademark must be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for New Jersey on
Q: I own a private day camp in New Jersey and I would like to create a camp mascot that is a derivative of the little miss

sunshine character, using the same colors. Is that legal?

Leonard R. Boyer
Leonard R. Boyer pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Nov 24, 2024

You have to be more specific because you have not provided enough facts to enable any attorney to provide a meaningful response and guide you accordingly. Good luck.

View More Answers

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.