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Taking notes by summarizing the key points and citing the sources seems not to be copyright infringement. Is this the same in academic writing and research papers? Would it be fair use if I took notes verbatim without summarizing for private study?
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answered on Jan 23, 2024
Taking notes from a copyrighted website, even if you don't summarize or transform them, can be considered fair use under certain circumstances. Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, news... View More 
Say I decide to write a story or draw a picture I own the copyright to in a non-commercial use only app. Later, I decide I want to use my work for commercial use so I recreate the same work in another commercial use app. Does this violate the terms of use of the non-commercial use app? Would it be... View More
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answered on Jan 23, 2024
Whether recreating a work initially made in a non-commercial use app for commercial purposes violates the app's terms of service depends on the specific terms set by the app. Typically, non-commercial use clauses restrict the use of the app and its resources (like tools or templates) for... View More
Products include stamps, christmas cards, bikes, etc. that has a design or logo on them; pretty much anything IP laws cover. I don't plan on sharing the photos if it is legal to take them. Also, how does this apply to product pictures for an Ebay listing?
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
Taking photographs of products you have purchased for personal use, such as keeping them on your PC for memories, is generally not considered copyright infringement. Copyright law typically allows for the personal, non-commercial use of such images. This is because your use is private and does not... View More
answered on Jan 22, 2024
Once you download something in your computer, you are committing copyright infringement. IP has no tails you can borrow except for a copyright defense of fair use . . . I would not like to rely upon defenses in the law. The trouble with copyright infringement is that in order to avoid that you... View More
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answered on Jan 22, 2024
In the United States, copyright law protects original works of authorship, including images, from unauthorized use. The act of downloading an image without permission from the copyright holder can be considered an infringement, even if the image is only for private, offline viewing and not shared.... View More
I play a video game that allows for modding, meaning you can add, remove and/or augment most things, from character models to game mechanics.
I want to add 3 fairly popular movie characters to my game and also make YouTube videos and have live streams with them included.... View More
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answered on Jan 21, 2024
Modding a video game and adding 3rd party intellectual property (IP) characters can potentially raise legal issues. Using popular movie characters without proper authorization may infringe on copyright and trademark rights held by the owners of those characters.
Displaying these modded... View More
I would like to provide courses/ a community around visiting Disney and all the knowledge that is needed to have a good trip now days. Is it legal to run ads around this course or will Disney come after me for it?
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answered on Jul 18, 2024
Running online ads for your courses about visiting Disney is generally legal, but there are important considerations. You need to be cautious about how you use Disney’s trademarks and copyrighted material. Using Disney’s name or logos in a way that suggests an official endorsement or... View More
Years ago I wrote a screenplay based on a self-published novel by a friend of mine, with her permission and minor collaboration. The lady has since passed away. Her heir says that the lady willed her copyrights to someone else but she does not know whom. Records still list the original author as... View More
answered on Sep 20, 2023
It is not essential that you identify the current owner of the copyright in the novel, but if you desired to do so, the best resource would be the probate records for the novelist's estate and/or a copy of the will. Your screenplay is an original work of your own authorship, with the... View More
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answered on Sep 11, 2023
If your former employer is using your images without your explicit consent and it was not stipulated in your employment contract that they could use your images for marketing purposes, you may have grounds to object to this use. Your right to object might be based on your copyright in the images... View More
We are hosting a local festival and I did not want to use something trademarked
answered on Jun 15, 2023
Palooza is commonly used descriptive term of a party and generic word so there should not be any trademark infringement issues with that particular term. Descriptive and generic terms are afforded little to no trademark protection.
Im a musician and I'm writing a song about nostalgia. The Nintendo GameBoy was a huge nostalgia factor for me. The GameBoy startup sound is just one extended chord followed by an individual note. Could I possibly get sued by Nintendo if I put the chord from the startup sound into my song?
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answered on Dec 29, 2022
The issue of copyright infringement is one that has been debated for decades, and while most people are aware that they can be sued for illegally downloading music, many are unaware that they can also be sued for using a short note, or sound clip, from a song. This is because even though the clip... View More
I proclaimed my nationality and legal Notice
On or about 4 of April 2014 in Jefferson county..
answered on Mar 23, 2022
An Alabama attorney could probably advise best, but your post remains open for four weeks. This is posted under Admiralty/Maritime, but it does not appear to be something that most maritime attorneys would be familiar with. In terms of reaching out to attorneys, it isn't fully clear what kind... View More
I am writing a stage play and I want to use a song in the play. I read a NOLO book on getting permission to use copyrighted materials but it had a videogram license attached to it. I don't want to film the play. I just want to use the song.
answered on Sep 22, 2021
Consult with an attorney.
Start with Google, look for owners of the rights.
a you tube program has published photos of me without my permission, It is illegal? I don't want them to use my image
answered on Jan 6, 2021
We all have a right of privacy, which includes our "right of publicity." However, if your image was taken while you were in a public place, and/or your image was only briefly shown, it will be much harder to assert your claim. Please consult with an IP/privacy attorney to fully assess your rights.
I am planning to create videos to tutor test prep students. Every student will register and sign in and purchase a hardbound copy of the textbook I use to access the videos. Can I use excerpts from that textbook for examples and explain solutions to problems from that textbook legally? I will... View More
answered on Oct 29, 2020
Generally speaking, using "limited" parts of a copyrighted work is OK for criticism, commentary, teaching, etc. See 17 U.S. Code § 107. This is called "Fair Use." But Fair Use is just a defense to infringement; it can't prevent a suit. In other words, if a copyright... View More
answered on Jul 8, 2020
You should consult with an attorney to determine whether you can revive the application or if you have resubmit.
I'm launching a membership and stand alone sales program covering copyrighted novels, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc. where I develop and sell learning workbooks to complement learning using the novels.
I will sell membership plans for the resources I create.
Is... View More
answered on Jun 25, 2020
Under copyright law 17 USC 106, the owner of a copyrighted work has the exclusive right to copy, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, publicly perform, publicly display – of their copyrighted work.
A derivative work is a work made from another work – with other descriptions of... View More
The US Copyright Office has already received my original literary work. I am wondering if I can go ahead and publish or if I need to wait to receive my certificate of registration.
answered on Apr 9, 2019
The date of confirmation of registration is the operative measure. The certificate is just documentary evidence for you to have at your disposal. So, as long as you have a registration number, you're protected.
I was forced to have a DNA test done on my child after he was 4 years old and I have had sole custody of him up until this point
answered on Jan 12, 2018
Yes. It is perfectly appropriate for the Court to order a DNA test to establish the paternity of a child.
I have created a lesson to accompany a novel to sell commercially to other teachers. Most book titles are not trademarked, but the novel title I created the lessons to accompany is listed as "trademarked". In the product, I refer to the title of the book multiple times and the activity... View More
answered on Jan 11, 2018
I'm not sure I understand your question. Please explain a little more. Thanks,
Mark A. Baker
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