Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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answered on Jul 23, 2024
Nicknaming a character after a trademarked brand, like "Kool Aid," can lead to legal issues. Trademark laws protect brand names to prevent confusion and unauthorized use. Using a trademarked name might be seen as infringing on those rights, especially if it appears to endorse or criticize... View More 
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and expression, but its application in specific contexts can vary. When it comes to photos saved to a school account on a school device, the situation may not fall squarely within the realm of First Amendment protection. Schools often have their own... View More
Breach of Fiduciary duty and through Child support involuntary Bankruptcy Stole the Assets and DOL FOIA refuses to give me the info I requested
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answered on Oct 29, 2024
I'm sorry you're going through this difficult situation. First, consider reaching out to an attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of trust law, ERISA regulations, and potential breaches of fiduciary duty. They can provide personalized advice and represent your interests... View More
I am starting a clothing and accessory brand and am curious on how/if I need to trademark my brand name and logo
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answered on Jun 9, 2022
Note: I'm a business attorney, not a trademark attorney. Here is generally what I tell people starting up a new business or entering into a new line of business that involves trademarks.
When you ask if you need to "trademark" your brand name and logo, what you are really... View More
answered on May 28, 2021
That emoticon, like most emoticons, is likely licensed to the users of apps that allow users to post that emoticon. It is probably not available for commercial use, but the license might extend to other uses, contact an intellectual property lawyer in Kansas City, MO to discuss the ins-and-outs.
Each story, in my book, has the name of the newspaper, name of reporter, Page No. and date. Then the story itself. Do I need to have permission from the newspaper? I have verbal permission, but I got that 20 years ago (I wrote the book 20 years ago, I am just now getting it published), and the... View More
answered on Jan 13, 2021
be careful
if you are reproducing the whole article you should consider seriously getting permission
your risk is very high
Hey all!
I'm creating a software product to launch into the mass market, and I currently have a few people helping out with artwork for UI design and other digital assets. I've mentioned to them that I'd purchase all the assets they've produced in bulk after the final... View More
answered on Apr 27, 2020
Hopefully your project won't end in litigation. However, because there is a lot at stake, it would be good to work with local business counsel familiar with intellectual property issues before you proceed any further. It is important to remember that if you do not have a writing in place... View More
Move object from point A to point B using a patented toy to made life easier
answered on Oct 29, 2019
Many patented processes use patented components in the process. Sometimes the company seeking the patent on the process owns the patents on the tools or components used in the process, sometimes they do not. It does not matter.
That said, your own idea will need to meet the test of being... View More
My fraternity is wanting to host a movie week, where we show a different movie every night, and charge people to come and watch it. The people coming will only be people we know and the movie will be shown on private property. So, I was wondering if we need a copyright license to show these movies.
I am coordinating a 5K benefit run for a local library, the theme is "Just Dewey It", a play on Nike's phrase. We would like to turn a book into the Nike Swoosh to use as the logo but we are concerned that it may be copyright infringement. We would seek Nike's permission but... View More
answered on Apr 9, 2019
You're probably running into trademark issues, and maybe copyright as well. The use of the slogan "Just Dewey It" without any use of a swoosh-like logo is a close call. Arguably it might fall within parody or other fair use exceptions to trademark or copyright infringement. The Nike... View More
Hello,
Thank you in advance for your time.
Three years ago I designed text and graphics that includes a particular phrase. I have been selling this graphic on textiles, apparel & enamel pins since 2016. It has come to my attention that another company has very recently... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2019
You are OK. The whole point of intellectual property law is to assure creators who make, invents or creates something, are protected from nefarious individuals who would steal or copy it. If you've been using a phrase in your business for several years, nobody can register it and prevent you... View More
I can identify the photography company, but have not been able to locate them through state and library records. The picture was take in 1955. I doubt I'm going to sell many copies, but am concerned about copyright infringement.
answered on Mar 18, 2019
This is a tricky situation. Copyright infringement is strict liability, so your intent not to infringe doesn't save you from a possible claim of infringement. Whether the image is actually subject to a copyright claim is unclear, since it was created before 1978. If it was published or... View More
I am from Kansas. I am going to start a citizen journalism youtube channel. Do I need to copyright or trademark the name 'The Citizen journalist'. I was told that if commerce happened under the name that it is auto trademarked to me, is this true? If commerce under the name does lock... View More
answered on May 22, 2018
You are talking about the difference between a common law trademark and a registered trademark. Different things with different rights and requirements. Here is a helpful resource: https://www.upcounsel.com/common-law-trademark
I'm changing the name of my business. I want to know what should be trademarked, included on all advertizing, logo's, and signage. Is it okay for the business to legally have one name, registered with the State of Missouri and still have a logo that identifies the business by another... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2018
If you want to conduct business under anything other than the legal name of the business, you will need to register an assumed name, which is different than a trademark. You are not required to trademark any aspect of the business name or branding. Although it can be very beneficial to do so.... View More
answered on Sep 17, 2017
Short answer: Maybe.
Long answer: It depends on whether the two goods are so related as to potentially cause consumer confusion (which is a core issue in trademark law). The other thing that must be evaluated is whether the crossover from clothing to "a household good" is within... View More
Looking for an alleged 1998 SCOTUS decision on the issue but can't locate. Claim made by secondhand textbook retailers but not substantiated by any evidence I've seen yet.
answered on Jan 28, 2017
To answer your question: Yes, US students may legally purchase international editions of textbooks. It's really the -seller- of international textbooks that must invoke the first-sale doctrine to protect their activities, but the Supreme Court recently decided that they may.... View More
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