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Utah Copyright Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Utah on
Q: Suppose I found out a famous actor/director is going to turn my life story into his next movie. How can I stop him?

I can't prove he's doing it but I'm sure his plan is to say it was coincidence and change the names and places. Is there anything I can do that would stop him from doing this, or do I just wait for the movie to be released and hope for the best?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Aug 31, 2024

If you believe that a famous actor or director is planning to base a movie on your life story without your permission, you have options to protect your rights. Even if they change names and places, the story's core could still be recognized as yours. To take action, you can start by... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Copyright for Utah on
Q: Can a photographer use your photos to sell for profit in Utah?

I paid a photographer to take photos in two separate sessions. There were no contracts involved, she took my photos and I paid her for her services both times. She messaged me last night stating that she put my photos into a magazine that she created, and is going to sell them for profit at the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 31, 2024

You have every right to be upset about this situation. When you pay a photographer for their services and there is no explicit contract detailing the use of the photos, it's generally understood that the photos are for your personal use. The photographer should have asked for your permission... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: I want to alter and resell stuffed animals I buy from thrift stores. Do I need to credit the original manufacturer?

Can I remove the tags? I want to sell them online. I have not attempted to sell any of them yet.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 18, 2024

When altering and reselling stuffed animals, it's important to understand a few key points. First, you don't need to credit the original manufacturer as long as your alterations significantly change the product, making it a new, unique item. However, keep in mind that some brands have... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: If I personally draw a silhouette of a character from a movie and put it on a tshirt to sell it, can i be sued?

I am looking to make a clothing item based on an idea from an animated movie but do not want to be sued for copyright infringement. All designs are personally hand-drawn by me but are based on characters from the movie. There are no details in the drawings, just silouettes.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 25, 2024

If you create and sell clothing featuring silhouettes of characters from an animated movie, you could potentially face copyright infringement issues. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including characters from movies. Even if you've hand-drawn these silhouettes without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: Copyright: If multiple people contribute to a finish document who has copyright to it?

We often survey and map caves. Typically this involves people shooting survey instruments, then sketchers recording the data and hand drawing a map, and then a cartography takes all the data and makes a digital version. Many people in our world assume the cartographer who makes the finished digital... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

In situations where multiple people contribute to the creation of a finished document, determining copyright ownership can be complex. Copyright law typically recognizes the contributions of each individual involved in the creation process. While it's common for people to assume that the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Utah on
Q: Hello gentlemen of Justia,I am starting a new collectible trading card game and I would like to Copyright the name.

I am starting a new collectible trading card game and I would like to Copyright the name before start all the design and PR. Is there a way to check if names are copyrighted or not? And Also, if a name is copyrighted but under another category (videogames for example), what happen?

I would... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Jan 15, 2024

The concern is with trademarks, not copyright. You should consult an experienced trademark attorney to review your plan, research existing marks and assist with the selection of a mark that you will be able to register for exclusive use in the relevant market. If the game will be distributed in... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Utah on
Q: Can I use "K9" for a Dog Kennel, Gaming Community, or any Publicly Official Name and risk legal trouble?

I am considering a few ideas and want to relate them to my dog. I have a dream of owning and running a Dog Kennel and Breed Dogs Officially and I have a Gaming Community that is looking for an Official Name. I would like to relate it with K9. I know K9 is often referring to Federal Working Dogs and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 4, 2023

Using "K9" in the name of your dog kennel or gaming community is generally permissible, as "K9" is a common term used to refer to dogs, particularly in the context of police or military dogs. The term itself is not typically subject to copyright because it is considered a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Copyright and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: y boyfriend builds decks and in past did for a company that has published photo’s of his work on a national decking web

Not recognizing him as they builder in any article or on discription of the deck .can he sue for not having him recognized as the actual builder ?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 9, 2023

Your boyfriend's ability to pursue legal action for recognition as the builder in published photos of his work would depend on the terms of any contract he had with the company and on copyright laws related to authorship and works made for hire. If there was an agreement that credits him as... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: Am I able to use motivational/inspirational quotes and make a profit?

Think famous quotes from Oprah or Steve Jobs or Dale Carnegie. Say I'm compiling a book of quotes to sell, or even emailing them out each day for a fee or something like that. Can I use other people's motivational/inspirational quotes (with or without attributing it to them) legally?... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 24, 2023

Using motivational/inspirational quotes from famous individuals in a book or for profit can potentially raise copyright concerns. While short phrases or expressions may not be protected by copyright, using substantial portions of copyrighted works or attributing quotes without permission can... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Criminal Law and Intellectual Property for Utah on
Q: Can a storage facility be sued for violation of an NDA

I am writing a book about real events that happened to me/family. I stored the documents for my book in a storage facility. The owners signed an NDA to be able to read my book so far. I moved out of state and they sold my property for non-payment. Can I sue them for breaching the NDA by disclosing... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 11, 2023

No. Your non-payment constitutes a prior material breach that authorized them to sell your stuff and excuses their breach of the NDA.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Utah on
Q: Is there a patent for a Helmet in a baseball cap?
Stephen E. Zweig
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answered on Jan 24, 2023

One good way to research this is to use patents.google.com, type in various relevant keywords, and see what you find. For example, try: https://patents.google.com/?q=helmet+baseball+cap&oq=helmet+in+baseball+cap and various other variations.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Utah on
Q: When is it ok not to get permission for use for an idea? I plan to publish (asap) a book of primary singing time ideas..

I need help from someone who knows book publishing/copyright law well. I thought I was good, but I should have made sure...I've put together a book. It's a list of over 100 activities that can be used for primary singing time. I gathered ideas from all over (mainly online in a public fb... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Mar 25, 2022

Ideas are not owned, nor are they subject of copyright, which protects only "works of expression."

Your compilation is itself a work of expression (namely, yours) and you own the copyright in that work.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Utah on
Q: I want to make some NFT art. Is there a way i can use comic characters, people's likenesses or mythical gods legally?

My art wouldnt be a copy and paste situation. For example, Its more or less a 3d sock puppet that looks like superman.

Steve Charles Vondran
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answered on Jan 19, 2022

Generally speaking, you need to be careful when tying to use copyrighted pictures, images, characters, or real living third party persons in your NFT's. I know this is a new area of technology, but traditional principles of copyright law still exist. Unless you are making a COLLAGE, for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Utah on
Q: Could I get in legal trouble for making and selling custom socks that accept the owlet monitor
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Oct 27, 2021

Depends on what the sock itself does.

it will depend on whether there is any protection for the design or use of the sock.

Consult with an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Consumer Law, Copyright and Products Liability for Utah on
Q: How to I find patents filed on work research and modifications done on my truck? Is there an application?
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Jul 3, 2021

Check google patents.

If the patent has not published or granted it won't be found.

Consult with an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Utah on
Q: If I were to market/sell a caffeine free energy substitute using a pouch delivery system would that be against patent?

I understand there are many products that use saliva based delivery (pouch) methods. Are all of these required to gain permission or establish patents to market and sell these types of products?

Thank you

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Jun 2, 2021

depends

consult with an attorney

you would need to look and see if there are any patents associated with that in the jurisdiction where you plan to make, sell or import

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Utah on
Q: I'm looking to start a brand based out of Salt Lake City, Utah name blase. What troubles would I run into?
Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Apr 14, 2020

It depends on what you are looking to do.

In essence, you should not have any issues unless you are violating a law or ordinance

Not enough information to make an assessment

consult with an attorney and schedule an appointment

www.legalbizglobal.com

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Utah on
Q: Can I propogate succulents for fun and to earn a little extra cash?

I have been wanting to propogate succulents for the experiment and fun of it. I also hoped to sell any babies that might be successful for some extra money. However while I did some research I learned that their where certain patent laws that made it illegal for some succulents. What succulents am... View More

Wesley Winsor
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Wesley Winsor
answered on Aug 13, 2019

This is a very nuanced area of law. I do not even dabble in this area. I thought I could provide some self-help resources though.

If you are wondering whether a type of plant has been patented, you will need to search the patent databases for whether the patent has been registered....
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Utah on
Q: With DMCA Notices, must I give the exact link to where the infringing material is or can it be a link where it may be?

I have been harassed by a troll website for the past few years and they continue to post my copyrighted works, namely: a book and a song. A few days ago, I sent the owner of the site a DMCA take down notice with all of the requirements for take down. I was informed by others that my copyrighted... View More

Griffin Klema
Griffin Klema
answered on Apr 24, 2019

While it's best to provide a specific URL for avoiding arguments about sufficiency of a DMCA notice, you are correct, there is some leeway that a copyright owner has in providing a notice. However, if you are unable to identify the precise location, that itself is indicative that the website... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Utah on
Q: 5 years operating the website www.efymusic.com. The owner of the mark "efy" is now asking that I cease and desist.

I don't own "EFY" but have been selling music and mp3's that I do own based on their summer camp. I had a verbal "okay" from them to run it the past few years, and they have often checked in to see how things were going. Now they are deciding to pull everything close... View More

Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
answered on Jan 24, 2019

You may still be able to register the trademark for use In Class 41 (Entertainment Services) with your scope of services limited to something like music production/distribution; but it really depends on the Summer Camps's mark - i..e how are they using it? What class are they registered in?... View More

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