Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
answered on Mar 16, 2021
All your answers are in the excellent tutorial material at uspto.gov and copyright.gov.
I am wondering if I can use this message. “This work is based upon real events. Certain events, dialogue and characters were created for the purposes of fictionalization.”
answered on Mar 11, 2021
you should be able
don't see any issue
always consult with an attorney
answered on Mar 11, 2021
You have already done so. You have not spelled the name out, but "author's husband" should be a clear identification.
I have already asked this question. How do I use a person's name in a screenplay without asking for permission?
answered on Mar 10, 2021
You can do this by using the person's name and hoping that (1) the person never finds out or (2) finding out later that you did not need permission in the first place.
(This is simply a straightforward approach to the issue. It is not a flip answer.)
In my screenplay I am writing about her first husband. Not my father. Her fist husband cheated on her. That is why she divorced him. Her first husband was a man of fame in Sri Lanka. He was once known as 'the fastest man in Asia'. Can I use his name in my script? I need it.
answered on Mar 9, 2021
The answer depends on many factors. The first, of course, is what you write about him. It is sounds like you would do more than simply mention his name. There are other points of interest. The legal issues include defamation, right of publicity, invasion of privacy to name a few. Whether your use... View More 
Hi,
I thought this would be a quick and easy question for someone here who wanted to help. Unfortunately, I'm not really in a financial situation to hire an attorney/lawyer.
I'd like to publish a book with the title "___ for Potato Heads" similar to one of those... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2021
No, sorry, you'll likely cannot use "____ for Potato Heads" as a series title.
Why don't you do what the Beatles did when they wanted to record "Dr. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band"? Just work rework it from "___ for Potato Heads" to "__ for... View More
I am writing a biographical screenplay about my mother. She was a famous romance novelist. She passed away in November, 2019. She divorced her first husband for cheating on her. Afterward she met my father. I have two half sisters and a full brother. My sister doesn’t want me to use her... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2021
Writing about a living person can raise issues of defamation, right of publicity, and false light, among others. There are many ways to do it wrong and a few ways to do it right. Some details may just have to be left out. A more complete statement of facts and a careful analysis by an attorney... View More
For example, my brand is: Pinky Minnie Couture or Destiny Minnie Arts ...
answered on Feb 22, 2021
New material is subject to copyright protection. A new book including the old book plus a new introduction may be published and the new introduction may be subject to copyright protection. The old book will not be subject to copyright protection. Depending on what you want to copy, what you want to... View More
C
If processing of signals constantly being held consistent of my attention and/or just comprehension of just auditory vibration of non audio frequency in turn creates a usable feature for in chip processing products and telecommunications. So communication by exchanging of similarities... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 17, 2021
Exactly what are you trying to accomplish? Your question is not clear.
A and B signed an agreement with regard to A and B collaboration on that certain short Film based on the screenplay written by B. A paid B a flat fee for writing services. A and B produced the Film.
All rights and copyright (and any renewals, extensions and continuations thereof),... View More
answered on Feb 6, 2021
Read the contract.
Justia disclaimers below, incorporated herein.
answered on Feb 1, 2021
Slander is the false statement of fact that damages someone's reputation. Publishing a mug shot doesn't sound like a false statement. Publishing mug shots of a minor can be illegal. Charging people to remove mug shots can be illegal in California.... View More
I'd like to create a business logo that has 'Est. 2000', but that's not when the business was created; rather, it's when my child was born. Is that false advertising?
answered on Jan 26, 2021
A good guideline would be: if you think it is false advertising, it probably is not a good idea. It would be false advertising to say you were in business for 21 years if you were not. Probably not a big deal if you were in business for 19 years, but if it was only 2, it could become an issue.... View More
This would be on the google Blogger server and would eventually carry a chain of willing authors as well as a great many Starwars links in support of the franchise.
answered on Jan 25, 2021
The question raises copyright and trademark questions. In all likelihood Disney would not care if you supported the franchise. The facts do not indicate how you would make references to Disney properties or possibly use them. There may be ways to do it right. There are very many ways to do it... View More
We own a list channel on YouTube, we make videos such as “7 Biggest Houses in the World” everything is under fair use (we have a voiceover over the clips and we use minimal footage as possible) and sometimes there are watermarks on video clips, are we allowed to blur the watermarks on the clip?... View More
answered on Jan 17, 2021
The questions are very fact specific, so an IP attorney should be consulted for legal advice.
Generally speaking, it's not uncommon to confuse or conflate copyright "Fair Use" and trademark "Fair Use" and to misunderstand the role and limits of "Fair... View More
I'm a little confused about the process. I'm forming a LLC, but beyond that, do I need to create a DBA in the pen name? Do I need to trademark it? Do I need register for a copyright?
answered on Jan 11, 2021
You should definitely sit down with an attorney and understand all the issues associated with it.
I'm not sober drunk and high on drugs. They're all seeking advantage of me doing white collar crime fraud scheme. What is it called by code of law?Can I suspend their licence bar?
answered on Jan 1, 2021
A lawyer involved in a 'white collar crime fraud scheme' would surely face the loss of their license with the state bar, not-to-mention criminal prosecution. You can file a complaint at The California State Bar website- calbar.ca.gov or call (800) 843-9053. It might be wise to consult... View More
I wrote a song and did the music arrangement in Logic Pro X using many royalty free loops to create my song. If I work with a producer who does his own interpretation of my original song via new music production how much ownership do I have regarding the music content?
I copyrighted my... View More
answered on Dec 23, 2020
"Influenced by your original song" may or may not be a derivative work. His audio needs to be compared to your work.
A split sheet is useful. You might want to use a collaboration agreement along with the split sheet.
Please also see my answer on Avvo.
answered on Dec 23, 2020
I would not.
Too close to infringing unless you are selling licensed products.
I am facing a lawsuit over a copyright issue. A California attorney is threatening to take me to court over using a copyrighted creative commons image on my website. I have since closed that PO Box and have no physical ties in the U.S. Since I am not a resident of the U.S. can they serve me here?... View More
answered on Dec 13, 2020
There are many ways for serving somebody in a lawsuit including service by mail, via a consulate, by publication and more.
So technically they can serve you.
And if you do not respond you can be found responsible by default.
They could ask a German court to enforce the... View More
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.
