What of censorship in general? the freedom of speech and exspression mean nothing when there's no one or no way to hear it.
I'm very concerned about the pressures from many special interest groups and diverse and even opposing political parties trying to control or cancel people... View More 
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2023
You have raised a multi-faceted issue that encompasses both the legal domain and the evolving norms in society.
From a legal standpoint, private companies like game developers and publishers generally have a broad latitude to modify their products as they see fit, including post-sale. This... View More
The Skullgirls team has taken a digital product that many people purchased and altered it in very significant ways. They've cut out entire pages from the art book, removed and re-announced voice lines, and drawn over concept art to make it less offensive. The current Skullgirls team, while... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 29, 2023
In California, modifying a digital product post-purchase may or may not violate laws depending on the terms of service or end-user license agreement (EULA) that customers agreed to at the time of purchase. If the terms explicitly reserve the right to make changes to the digital content, the company... View More
The Skullgirls team has taken a digital product that many people purchased and altered it in very significant ways. They've cut out entire pages from the art book, removed and re-announced voice lines, and drawn over concept art to make it less offensive. The current Skullgirls team, while... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 15, 2023
While I understand your concerns, changes made to digital products like art books or video games fall under the discretion of the creators and developers. If these changes are made by the current team or company, and they own the rights to the product, they generally have the authority to modify... View More
I believe that, once upon a time, a publisher published the works of mark twain but censored what may have been offensive. The censorship won out in the end. (evil won in that case) but i wonder if that case was disputed further and appealed. does anyone know?
The Roald Dhal censorship was... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 15, 2023
I'm familiar with historical cases of censorship, such as those involving Mark Twain's works, but whether a specific case was appealed and overturned would require a thorough review of the legal history and court records. Appeals and potential outcomes depend on various factors, including... View More
answered on Aug 3, 2023
If you reached out to attorneys, they would ask about the terms of your agreement, as my colleague points out. It could depend on who is identified as the owner of the code. The intellectual property attorneys here would have insight into the issues that could arise in terms of ownership, if you... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 6, 2023
Retaining or confiscating the source code could be considered a breach of contract or theft of intellectual property, which may lead to legal consequences. Instead, you should pursue appropriate legal remedies, such as negotiating with the customer, seeking payment through a collections process, or... View More
In late 1990s, I gave someone a box to hold containing cassettes of me playing guitar and singing, as well as rehearsals of the band. Those are the only copies in existence. I’m the songwriter. She now claims *in writing* that all the music belongs to her, after asking her to return them for... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 11, 2023
You can take legal action against your bandmate if they refuse to return the only copies in existence of your original music works. You may be able to file a lawsuit for copyright infringement, breach of contract, or conversion. In addition to filing a lawsuit, you may also be able to file a police... View More
answered on Apr 5, 2023
You need to conduct a copyright search to determine whether you are potentially infringing on Sinclair’s IP. You should also run a trademark knockout search to see whether your dinosaur is a registered or common law brand, or resembles one closely enough to create a “likelihood of confusion”... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 6, 2023
Using sauropod images for educational purposes in a small business or non-profit organization is generally allowed under fair use principles. However, if the sauropod image you plan to use is substantially similar to an image owned by Sinclair or another entity, you may be at risk of infringing on... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 29, 2023
Yes, you can publish public domain lyrics as a children's book and make money from it. Public domain works are not protected by copyright, which means that they are free to use and adapt for commercial purposes. However, it's important to ensure that the lyrics you are using are indeed in... View More
I paid the artist for my caricature, and (because I have a sense of humor) I later decided to use it in my online marketing materials. Do I need his permission? And since he signed the work, must I include his signature when using the work?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 29, 2023
When you paid the "boardwalk artist" for your caricature, you purchased a physical copy of the artwork, but it does not necessarily mean that you own the copyright to the image. The copyright is owned by the artist, unless they transfer the rights to you in writing.
If you want to... View More
I paid the artist for my caricature, and (because I have a sense of humor) I later decided to use it in my online marketing materials. Do I need his permission? And since he signed the work, must I include his signature when using the work?
answered on Mar 15, 2023
Because you paid the artist, it is a "work for hire" and owned by you. If you are using the work for commercial purposes, it would be prudent to register the copyright in the work and in the application you will identify the artist as having created the work for you.
You have no... View More
A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together. Can he himself represent the music legally and handle the copyright registration? He would also have to be the legal third-party regarding the publishing company. It seems to me this would all present a conflict of... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 10, 2023
It is possible for your colleague, as a lawyer and co-creator of the musical piece, to represent the music legally and handle the copyright registration. However, there could be potential conflicts of interest depending on the specific circumstances of your situation. It is important to discuss any... View More
A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together. Can he himself represent the music legally and handle the copyright registration? He would also have to be the legal third-party regarding the publishing company. It seems to me this would all present a conflict of... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2023
If you and him are business partners, one may thing that their interests are aligned. However, it may not be the case for ever. It is a good practice to have independent counsel. Thereafter, you can make an informed decision as to who should be in charge of the legal aspects of the registration of... View More
My name for free and has refused to pay for the book and it content they are selling online as a collectible against my will and knowledge. I would like to file a suit against this company for millions of dollars since 2017 to this writing I have not been given a dime for my work, beside $100 for... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 11, 2023
To seek legal action against the publishing company, you should consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law. The lawyer can review your contract with the publishing company and determine if there are any breaches of contract or infringement of your intellectual property... View More
My name for free and has refused to pay for the book and it content they are selling online as a collectible against my will and knowledge. I would like to file a suit against this company for millions of dollars since 2017 to this writing I have not been given a dime for my work, beside $100 for... View More
answered on Mar 8, 2023
This may be something that a copyright/intellectual property attorney would have insight into. You could repost and add Copyright and Intellectual Property as categories. Not all questions are picked up on this forum, but you might increase chances for a response by adding those headings. Good luck
He asked me to send it to him
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 25, 2023
It's unlikely that your coworker could sue you for taking a picture of him using an app, as long as you had his consent to take the picture. However, if he did not give his consent and you took the picture in a place where he had a reasonable expectation of privacy, he may have a case for... View More
Are we allowed to use one line phrases, pictures or anything to do with show, how do I find out if something is copyright and if it is how do I legally get rights. I want to do things the correct way
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 25, 2023
As a vendor at a Vampire Diaries convention, you need to be aware of the copyright laws surrounding the show and its associated intellectual property. Using copyrighted material without permission can lead to legal issues, including potential lawsuits.
To find out if something is... View More
The event in question took place a couple of decades ago. Some of the main people involved are dead and some are alive. It's a relatively well known/publicized event, though not everyone's involvement is super well known its all easily available in news articles. I want to know about... View More
answered on Feb 3, 2023
Aside from intellectual property issues, there can be tort law issues. Diligent publishers will review certain manuscripts to ensure that a book does not open the door to allegations of libel, the act of defaming (causing damage to dignitary interests) a person in written form. Good luck
The event in question took place a couple of decades ago. Some of the main people involved are dead and some are alive. It's a relatively well known/publicized event, though not everyone's involvement is super well known its all easily available in news articles. I want to know about... View More
answered on Feb 3, 2023
You potentially have to contend with the New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, New York’s “Right of Privacy” law, which prohibit the use “for advertising purposes, or for the purposes of trade” of the name, portrait or picture of any living person without obtaining his or her prior... 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.
