Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am a composer and have ideas for poetry I'd like AI to help draft. I would then tweak it and use it as the text for choral compositions. I want to make sure that is legal or to learn if there are best practices around acknowledgements for the text. If I have to acknowledge Google Gemini for... View More
answered on May 2, 2024
Copyright in GenAI work is a fascinating topic. I would love to discuss it with you. A short answer to your question is that the U.S. Copyright Office does not register copyrights for works produced by Gen AI. No court so far has told them that they have to. Without a registered copyright, there is... View More
I am a composer and have ideas for poetry I'd like AI to help draft. I would then tweak it and use it as the text for choral compositions. I want to make sure that is legal or to learn if there are best practices around acknowledgements for the text. If I have to acknowledge Google Gemini for... View More
answered on May 3, 2024
Here are my thoughts:
1. Copyright: In most cases, the person who prompts the AI and curates the generated content is considered the author and copyright holder of the resulting work. However, it's important to review the terms of service of the AI platform you are using to understand... View More
Given the Marvel cinematic universe, I would create a comic book-style poster in both cinematic and chronological order. The posters would have the characters, quotes, and small details that can be seen in the movies - such as 'I am Iron Man', or the New Asgard town sign. The art style... View More
answered on Aug 15, 2023
Using Marvel characters on a poster and selling them without proper authorization could potentially infringe on Marvel's intellectual property rights, including their copyrights and trademarks. Even if the art style is different, using recognizable elements, quotes, and details from the Marvel... View More
Given the Marvel cinematic universe, I would create a comic book-style poster in both cinematic and chronological order. The posters would have the characters, quotes, and small details that can be seen in the movies - such as 'I am Iron Man', or the New Asgard town sign. The art style... View More
answered on Aug 8, 2023
This product is likely to be found infringing of Marvel's copyrights as well as trademarks. The characters are all protected by copyright, and most of them are trademarks as well. Compiling several of them adds fuel to the fire and shows predatory intent which could subject you to punitive damages.
I intend to start a retail quilting/diy store; if I base a design off of an idea that I’ve seen (Pinterest, family quilts, magazines, in-store etc) if I made something that was similar, but I didn’t follow their directions, (or theoretically, if I did) could I be infringing on copyrights of... View More
answered on Dec 17, 2022
It is important to understand copyright laws when it comes to selling quilting patterns. While certain elements of copyrightable subject matter may be used without infringing upon existing copyright protection, the substantial similarity of a design can create copyright infringement issues. If a... View More
My name is Kim. I have a friend who has called me Kimpossible for years. I want to start a YouTube channel called Kitchen Kimpossible.
answered on Sep 29, 2024
Using the name "Kimpossible" could potentially raise concerns with Disney, as it is closely associated with their popular animated character and show "Kim Possible." Trademark law protects distinctive names, especially in cases where they are strongly tied to a well-known brand.... View More
answered on Jan 25, 2022
Thanks to the "first sale doctrine" in copyright law, you may make additional copies of the work for your own use so long as you do not distribute or sell them to others. The transformative copy you propose would also be permitted, with the same limitation on distribution or sale to others.
Is this legal for retail?
answered on Nov 13, 2021
Depends.
You need to consult with an attorney to understand your risks.
I want to pitch it to the copywrite owner. I want to use character names, places, descriptions etc.
answered on May 18, 2020
You are going to need to have permission from the copyright owner to make your derivative work. You may want to work through an attorney who could act as intermediary between you and the copyright owner to pitch your concept. The attorney would be in a good position to figure out with you the... View More
We had this package copyrighted before 2010. It was a disk containing some works with phrases paired to them. Everything on the disk was copyrighted. The phrase, "In loving memory", was trademaked recently and they are trying to sue us for selling our copyrighted works.
answered on Feb 6, 2019
To do a proper assessment we would need to look at what is being sold, in what format, etc.
A trademark protects the use of words for specific products or services. The key test is whether a person would be confused and think the product you are selling comes from the affected party.... View More
I invented a game that me and my friends play. It is an Lord of the Rings themed game that mostly merely uses LOTR races (i.e. Ents, Hobbits, etc.). Can I post it on the internet totally free without violating copyright.
answered on Jun 23, 2017
While I am a big fan of Tolkein and gaming, I don't think posting your game online is wise without talking to an attorney first. Whether you potentially infringe on any copyright or trademark interest that Middle-earth Enterprises a/k/a The Saul Zaetz Company (which seems to own the worldwide... View More
The company is defunct and has been for 19 years. All of their other products are listed at copyright.gov but not the one I am looking for. Is that copyright still in effect?
answered on May 23, 2016
Just because they did not file a copyright does not mean it is not copyrighted. Since about 1989, everything copyrightable became copyrighted once it was created (its a little more technical than that in reality), even if not registered. Registration simply gives you additional rights. I would see... View More
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