Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Did a non sexual, harmless fashion photoshoot of a minor inside their house without parental consent. Now they are threatening to file lawsuit. Should I be worried?
answered on Aug 15, 2017
Are you sure this is a copyright question? What are they threatening to sue you for? What were doing inside their house with a minor without their consent? All of the facts must be spelled out in detail. How do you know it was harmless? That may not be for you to decide. You could potentially have... View More 
The cake has a little bit of similarities with pancakes or waffles. It can be seen on youtube. I think there are patented red bean cake makers/machines out there. I would also like to ask if can I make my own red bean cake maker/machine that makes the same shape of a regular red bean cake(thin... View More
answered on Aug 9, 2017
If you are doing this as a hobby, there is a possibility that this might not matter. If you are going to invest money in a new business, it is likely that consulting an attorney would be a good idea. The few facts given in the question seem to indicate that there may be issues involved in addition... View More
Its shape is somwhat circular and a little cylindrical. Is it ok or legal to start a business like that product?
answered on Aug 8, 2017
With regards to the "red bean cakes shape", I don't know, but I doubt that someone can receive a strong patent for it. Bean shapes (say r = sin^3(a) + cos^3(a)) have been around for a long time. Moreover, even if someone would be successful in getting such a patent, it would be... View More
Looking for some advice from a copyright lawyer that I can potentially stake my life on.
I know for covers in general, licenses discussed are usually mechanical, sync, and I've seen mentions of Master Use licenses.
For posting a cover purely on Youtube, without monetization,... View More
answered on Aug 7, 2017
"Looking for some advice from a copyright lawyer that I can potentially stake my life on." Did you want this for free? Did you want an answer that was short enough to fit in this box? Did you want the attorney to answer this without getting further information? It is possible that your... View More
What I mean is, If I made a totally custom helmet, BUT with the shape of an iron man helmet, would that infringe copyright?
answered on Aug 7, 2017
The question seems to include a contradiction. If a helmet is designed to simulate another helmet, it is not totally custom. One element that may be considered in a copyright infringement analysis is whether the new work contains elements of originality of the first work. If someone wants to take... View More
Hello, my question is basically based on software developers, and I was wondering if you could help me know a few things I would really have to know.So the thing is, I want to hire a software developer to build a mobile application for me and I am really worried about the payment process in that,... View More
answered on Aug 5, 2017
Your questions and concerns are not the type that get answered for free on the internet. You need to retain a busines/IP attorney to advise you.
Is educational purpose the same with informative purpose and is it still under fair use if it is at the same time for profit?
answered on Aug 4, 2017
See: http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/fair-use/cases/
That might be fair use. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards,... View More
The Foundation for the person in question (Kathryn Kuhlman) recently shut down, and she has no immediate offspring such as children.
answered on Jul 27, 2017
Questions to be considered include whether your organization would be confused with the Foundation and how to avoid confusion. It also has to be determined if use of the name would violate rights of others, even for the name of a deceased person with no immediate offspring. This can get tricky.
I designed a garment based on a picture at the time the picture appeared to be from the 1930's however. It was been brought to my attention it's a more current print circa 2013. The garment I made and the pattern were drafted by me, yes it is Inspired but it cannot be virtually the... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2017
Of course, more specific facts are required to answer the question. Here are some considerations.
A work that is "inspired" by another work may be a "derivative work." In the right fact situation, a derivative work can infringe a copyright. The derivative work need not... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2017
That sounds like IP infringement. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More
My paintings are named after popular songs. Each painting correlates to a specific song. I'd like to post youtube videos, or recordings of these songs on my website along side my paintings. Will I encounter any legal issues by doing this?
answered on Jul 25, 2017
That sounds like clear IP violation. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2017
You might be violating IP laws, NDAs, and employment contracts, if you do. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors,... View More
answered on Jul 24, 2017
Maybe. This is not a yes-no question. It is essential to know exactly what you are doing. You do not have to copy an entire script to infringe a copyright. Sometimes copying just a few lines is enough. Many people try to say that their copying is "fair use." Very often it is not. Who... View More
answered on Jul 24, 2017
Physically, you could. However, you want to find out if anybody else has the legal right to stop you from using the name or even try to get money from you.
This generally requires performance of a trademark search. It is best to consult an attorney because many different criteria must be... View More
Basically, I used the song for inspiration for characters, setting, and plot. The reasons, some events, names, and everything else will be from my imagination. And some characters will say some lines from the song word for word in conversation (not song). I will not have the actual song sung... View More
answered on Jul 17, 2017
A true answer would require review of the original material and a more precise description of exactly what you are doing. You would have to consult an attorney.
Here are a couple of observations. Crediting the original creators means that you are not a plagiarist. However, the credit could... View More
I am located in Santa Cruz county and Surf's Up Driving school is located in San Luis Obispo county, both in California.
answered on Jul 14, 2017
They sound sufficiently different, but speak with a lawyer such as myself re: any possible IP infringement, business overlap, and related issues. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as... View More
answered on Jul 12, 2017
You may want to copyright the new iteration to protect your IP. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and... View More
I have a product that I have listed on Amazon.com and been selling for over 8 months without any issues. We were recently flagged for issues regarding our product's handle pattern design which was protected by a patent. We understand that we needed to change the handle so since we have changed... View More
answered on Jul 10, 2017
Forms of IP infringement include trademark infringement and trade dress infringement. They are covered by different laws and are measured by different criteria. The standard for trademark infringement is likelihood of confusion in the market place as to the source of the goods.
This is the... View More
answered on Jul 1, 2017
You need to run an IP conflict search. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my... View More
The mark I am filing for is:
"eventpro marketing" - Continuing education services, namely, providing live and online continuing professional education seminars in the field of internet marketing; development and dissemination of educational materials of others in the field of... View More
answered on Jun 29, 2017
It depends on the business and location of each company. There might be overlap here and thus confusion. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards,... View More
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