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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property on
Q: When will Japan's famous Nintendo characters enter public domain?

This list includes characters from the Super Mario series like Mario himself, The Legend of Zelda series characters with Link, Animal Crossing series characters with Isabelle, Splatoon series characters with Inkling Girl, Pikmin, the Kirby series with Kirby himself and last but not least. The Fire... View More

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answered on Apr 20, 2024

Understanding when Nintendo's famous characters and technologies will enter the public domain involves a look into copyright and patent laws, which vary significantly by jurisdiction. Generally, copyright in many countries, including the United States, lasts for the life of the author plus an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Kentucky on
Q: I have several issued copyrights on the topic of Autonomous taxi ride services, coupons, discounts and promo codes etc

Would these companies have to get permission from me before offering these promotions and advertising and marketing materials to the general public?

Especially if they use the word autonomous, Robotaxi, or self driving ride service in there promotion of a near futuristics service.... View More

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answered on Apr 18, 2024

Based on the information you've provided, it's difficult to say definitively whether these companies would need to obtain permission from you before offering promotions and advertising materials related to autonomous ride services. The answer depends on several factors:

1. The...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: I make memes and I get clips from other creators.Creators I get clips from don't have a way to contact them.

Can I be sued for this.

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answered on Apr 18, 2024

The legality of using clips from other creators in your memes without their permission depends on the specific circumstances and whether your use falls under "fair use." Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holders... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark, Copyright and Intellectual Property for Kentucky on
Q: Do trademark prevent people from mentioning their brand at all in a story?

For example

If someone wrote a story, would he be in trouble if he wrote

Lorraine cherish her chevrolet silverado she got from her late father. As well as her Gameboy from her departed sister. The old xbox, which was a trade for a psp, she got from her cousin no longer works but... View More

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answered on Apr 18, 2024

In general, simply mentioning trademarked brands in a story would not be considered a violation of trademark law. Trademarks are designed to protect brands from being used by others in a way that could confuse consumers about the source of a product or service. However, when a trademarked name is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: Copyright Law - Did I break the law and have to pay for it?

During the contract period with the architect I hired, I captured a portion of the floor plan she designed in a photograph. I then created three different options by placing multiple squares over some spaces in the photo, each in different positions, and posted a question on a community website... View More

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answered on Apr 18, 2024

Based on the information provided, it's difficult to determine with certainty whether your actions constituted copyright infringement. However, there are a few key points to consider:

1. Copyright ownership: Generally, the creator of an original work, such as an architectural design,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark on
Q: I would like to know if I am able to use the TOP GUN trade mark logo as a sticker on my car.Thank you.Maria E.
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

Dear Maria,

Thank you for your question about using the TOP GUN trademark logo as a sticker on your car.

In general, it is not permissible to use a registered trademark, like the TOP GUN logo, without explicit permission from the trademark owner. Trademarks are protected...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Gaming, Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: Can I use "It's Dangerous to go alone! Nimm das!" in an image for my fiverr gig
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

It's best to be cautious about using that exact phrase in an image for your Fiverr gig. "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this!" is an iconic line from the 1986 Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda. Nintendo owns the copyright on the game's text.

Using a direct quote,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Nebraska on
Q: If I have a food truck named turtle power pizza Can I have a mural of the ninja turtles on it?
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

It's great that you want to decorate your food truck with art that ties into the name! However, directly using characters like the Ninja Turtles could potentially infringe on copyrights and trademarks owned by Viacom, the company behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Pennsylvania on
Q: Copy right issue after business buy out

Hello, I had prior business buy out due to conflict settlement. The person is still having my profile pics as being its owner. How can I file a case and what’s the outcome.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 15, 2024

In a situation where your former business partner continues to use your profile pictures without permission after a business buyout, you may have grounds for a legal case based on copyright infringement and potentially misappropriation of likeness. Here's what you can consider:

1....
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Arkansas on
Q: Can 1950 copyrighted syndicated comics that were not re-registered get their copyrighted status back?

I inherited the original galleys of the comics that were copyrighted as a work for hire from the syndicate I also inherited. I have an exclusive licensing contract agreement with a company, who has requested that I update the copyrights to protect them from being used for commercial, and not... View More

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answered on Apr 15, 2024

Based on the information provided, it sounds like you have inherited the original physical materials (galleys) of comics that were created as works-for-hire and initially copyrighted by the syndicate you also inherited in 1950. The key considerations are:

1. Pre-1978 works had an initial...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Kentucky on
Q: What kind of open-source license is necessary for software?

I have created a Google and Excel based, online tool, to create digital dashboard based on FEMA emergency management principles. I want to ensure I retain ownership of this tool, allow it to remain openly accessible, and restrict anyone else from trying to privatize or monetize my tool. How can I... View More

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answered on Apr 13, 2024

To achieve your goals of retaining ownership, keeping the tool openly accessible, and preventing others from privatizing or monetizing your work, you should consider using a copyleft open-source license. Copyleft licenses allow others to use, modify, and distribute the software, but they must... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Civil Rights, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Kentucky on
Q: Is my news youtube channel considered commercial? Can I use material gained from open records requests? And Monitize?

It's very hard to tell if I can even do this. I see a lot of body cam channels, obviously expanding and reporting on the situation. This would come with monitization and it wouldn't be just the video, I would create a more transformative video. I would like to do something similar in KY... View More

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answered on Apr 12, 2024

Whether your YouTube channel is considered commercial and whether you can monetize it depends on several factors. Here are a few key considerations:

1. Purpose of the channel: If your primary goal is to generate income from the channel, it may be considered commercial. However, if your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Florida on
Q: If I modify a Japan art work that is copyrighted am I subject to American or Japanese Copyright law?

I am living in the United States, this is a non profit fan image, i have no intentions of profiting or selling the image

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answered on Apr 11, 2024

In this case, there are a few key considerations:

1. Jurisdiction: Generally, copyright infringement lawsuits are governed by the laws of the country where the lawsuit is filed. As you're based in the U.S., it's likely that U.S. copyright law would apply if a lawsuit was brought...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property on
Q: Is it a Fair Copyright Strike for someone to strike down a video for your ROBLOX GFX shown for 3 seconds long?

There was a video about exposing someone how they were a bad person, a few days ago the exposed person's friend struck down the video due to their Roblox GFX featured in the video for 3 seconds (the video was almost an hour long) saying it was fair because they made the GFX and the creator of... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2024

Based on the information provided, it seems questionable whether using a 3-second clip of someone's Roblox GFX (graphics) in an hour-long video would constitute a valid reason for a copyright strike, especially if the use falls under the principles of fair use. Here are a few points to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Washington on
Q: Can a business competitor use a non-trademarked brand I've created to disrupt my business?

I run a golf academy and have a very successful ladies program "FORE The Ladies". Recently, a neighboring course who hired an ex-employee of mine, began running ads with the Program name "Fore the Ladies" and use a very similar typeface in their paid marketing.

This has... View More

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answered on Apr 11, 2024

In the United States, even if you haven't federally registered your trademark, you may have some protections under common law trademark rights. Common law trademark rights are established through the actual use of a mark in commerce in connection with goods or services, and these rights are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, Copyright and Intellectual Property for Texas on
Q: How can I protect my domain name and website from creditors?
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answered on Apr 10, 2024

Attempting to hide or protect assets when facing debts or legal judgments could be considered fraudulent in many cases. The ethical and legal course of action is to pay valid debts that are owed.

If you are facing financial hardship, I would suggest speaking with a certified credit...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Internet Law on
Q: Someone offers a service online that also involves the selling of images and videos, who owns the rights?

If someone offers a service online that also involves the selling of videos and images as part of that service, who then owns the rights to those images and videos. Does the seller retain full control over those images and videos and has only sold you "the service", or do you have any... View More

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answered on Apr 10, 2024

The ownership and usage rights for images and videos sold as part of an online service can vary depending on the specific terms of the agreement or license under which they are sold. In general, there are a few common scenarios:

1. The seller retains full ownership and control: In many...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Arkansas on
Q: What does it mean when the copyright or trademark has been abandoned. And if it means the person or entity no longer own

It can some one else take the rights for copyright or trademark. ? If nine of these then if the purpose or business isnt what the propritor has is it okay to use the name?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Apr 10, 2024

The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Trademark and Intellectual Property for Arkansas on
Q: What does it mean when the copyright or trademark has been abandoned. And if it means the person or entity no longer own

It can some one else take the rights for copyright or trademark. ? If nine of these then if the purpose or business isnt what the propritor has is it okay to use the name?

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answered on Apr 11, 2024

When a copyright or trademark has been abandoned, it generally means that the owner has stopped using or enforcing their rights to the intellectual property. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

1. The owner deliberately abandons the copyright or trademark.

2. The owner...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Massachusetts on
Q: We recently received a copyright violation notice for an image that we purchased 12 years ago, but can't locate records.

The the image is from an American photographer, but the company demanding payment represents a large stock company that we are certain we have never done business with, and we suspect repurchased the image from another company. They are asking removal of the image from our piece, and over $800 fee.... View More

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answered on Apr 8, 2024

In this situation, it's important to understand your rights and the potential consequences of your actions. Here are a few steps you can consider:

1. Request proof of ownership: Ask the company demanding payment to provide clear evidence that they own the rights to the image in...
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