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I am looking to make a clothing item based on an idea from an animated movie but do not want to be sued for copyright infringement. All designs are personally hand-drawn by me but are based on characters from the movie. There are no details in the drawings, just silouettes.
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answered on Mar 25, 2024
If you create and sell clothing featuring silhouettes of characters from an animated movie, you could potentially face copyright infringement issues. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including characters from movies. Even if you've hand-drawn these silhouettes without... View More 
We often survey and map caves. Typically this involves people shooting survey instruments, then sketchers recording the data and hand drawing a map, and then a cartography takes all the data and makes a digital version. Many people in our world assume the cartographer who makes the finished digital... View More
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
In situations where multiple people contribute to the creation of a finished document, determining copyright ownership can be complex. Copyright law typically recognizes the contributions of each individual involved in the creation process. While it's common for people to assume that the... View More
I am starting a new collectible trading card game and I would like to Copyright the name before start all the design and PR. Is there a way to check if names are copyrighted or not? And Also, if a name is copyrighted but under another category (videogames for example), what happen?
I would... View More
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answered on Jan 17, 2024
To protect the name of your collectible trading card game, you should consider trademark registration, not copyright. Copyrights protect original works of authorship, like books and music, while trademarks protect brand names, logos, and other identifiers of the source of goods or services.... View More
I am starting a new collectible trading card game and I would like to Copyright the name before start all the design and PR. Is there a way to check if names are copyrighted or not? And Also, if a name is copyrighted but under another category (videogames for example), what happen?
I would... View More
answered on Jan 15, 2024
The concern is with trademarks, not copyright. You should consult an experienced trademark attorney to review your plan, research existing marks and assist with the selection of a mark that you will be able to register for exclusive use in the relevant market. If the game will be distributed in... View More
I am considering a few ideas and want to relate them to my dog. I have a dream of owning and running a Dog Kennel and Breed Dogs Officially and I have a Gaming Community that is looking for an Official Name. I would like to relate it with K9. I know K9 is often referring to Federal Working Dogs and... View More
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answered on Dec 4, 2023
Using "K9" in the name of your dog kennel or gaming community is generally permissible, as "K9" is a common term used to refer to dogs, particularly in the context of police or military dogs. The term itself is not typically subject to copyright because it is considered a... View More
I wouldn't be attaching the LEGO name at all. I would create the instructions using the pieces they provide in their studio, and finishing them in a PDF format. Can I use the studio to sell the PDF?
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answered on Feb 9, 2025
You can use Bricklink Studio to create your own LEGO instructions and sell them as PDFs, but there are some things to keep in mind. The program itself is free to use, and LEGO has not explicitly prohibited selling instructions made with it. However, you should avoid using LEGO’s trademarks,... View More
I can't prove he's doing it but I'm sure his plan is to say it was coincidence and change the names and places. Is there anything I can do that would stop him from doing this, or do I just wait for the movie to be released and hope for the best?
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answered on Aug 31, 2024
If you believe that a famous actor or director is planning to base a movie on your life story without your permission, you have options to protect your rights. Even if they change names and places, the story's core could still be recognized as yours. To take action, you can start by... View More
I paid a photographer to take photos in two separate sessions. There were no contracts involved, she took my photos and I paid her for her services both times. She messaged me last night stating that she put my photos into a magazine that she created, and is going to sell them for profit at the... View More
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answered on Jul 31, 2024
You have every right to be upset about this situation. When you pay a photographer for their services and there is no explicit contract detailing the use of the photos, it's generally understood that the photos are for your personal use. The photographer should have asked for your permission... View More
Can I remove the tags? I want to sell them online. I have not attempted to sell any of them yet.
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answered on Jul 18, 2024
When altering and reselling stuffed animals, it's important to understand a few key points. First, you don't need to credit the original manufacturer as long as your alterations significantly change the product, making it a new, unique item. However, keep in mind that some brands have... View More
Think famous quotes from Oprah or Steve Jobs or Dale Carnegie. Say I'm compiling a book of quotes to sell, or even emailing them out each day for a fee or something like that. Can I use other people's motivational/inspirational quotes (with or without attributing it to them) legally?... View More
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answered on May 24, 2023
Using motivational/inspirational quotes from famous individuals in a book or for profit can potentially raise copyright concerns. While short phrases or expressions may not be protected by copyright, using substantial portions of copyrighted works or attributing quotes without permission can... View More
I am writing a book about real events that happened to me/family. I stored the documents for my book in a storage facility. The owners signed an NDA to be able to read my book so far. I moved out of state and they sold my property for non-payment. Can I sue them for breaching the NDA by disclosing... View More
answered on Feb 11, 2023
No. Your non-payment constitutes a prior material breach that authorized them to sell your stuff and excuses their breach of the NDA.
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answered on Jan 24, 2023
One good way to research this is to use patents.google.com, type in various relevant keywords, and see what you find. For example, try: https://patents.google.com/?q=helmet+baseball+cap&oq=helmet+in+baseball+cap and various other variations.
I need help from someone who knows book publishing/copyright law well. I thought I was good, but I should have made sure...I've put together a book. It's a list of over 100 activities that can be used for primary singing time. I gathered ideas from all over (mainly online in a public fb... View More
answered on Mar 25, 2022
Ideas are not owned, nor are they subject of copyright, which protects only "works of expression."
Your compilation is itself a work of expression (namely, yours) and you own the copyright in that work.
My art wouldnt be a copy and paste situation. For example, Its more or less a 3d sock puppet that looks like superman.
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answered on Jan 19, 2022
Generally speaking, you need to be careful when tying to use copyrighted pictures, images, characters, or real living third party persons in your NFT's. I know this is a new area of technology, but traditional principles of copyright law still exist. Unless you are making a COLLAGE, for... View More
answered on Oct 27, 2021
Depends on what the sock itself does.
it will depend on whether there is any protection for the design or use of the sock.
Consult with an attorney.
answered on Jul 3, 2021
Check google patents.
If the patent has not published or granted it won't be found.
Consult with an attorney.
I understand there are many products that use saliva based delivery (pouch) methods. Are all of these required to gain permission or establish patents to market and sell these types of products?
Thank you
answered on Jun 2, 2021
depends
consult with an attorney
you would need to look and see if there are any patents associated with that in the jurisdiction where you plan to make, sell or import
answered on Apr 14, 2020
It depends on what you are looking to do.
In essence, you should not have any issues unless you are violating a law or ordinance
Not enough information to make an assessment
consult with an attorney and schedule an appointment
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I have been wanting to propogate succulents for the experiment and fun of it. I also hoped to sell any babies that might be successful for some extra money. However while I did some research I learned that their where certain patent laws that made it illegal for some succulents. What succulents am... View More
answered on Aug 13, 2019
This is a very nuanced area of law. I do not even dabble in this area. I thought I could provide some self-help resources though.
If you are wondering whether a type of plant has been patented, you will need to search the patent databases for whether the patent has been registered.... View More
I have been harassed by a troll website for the past few years and they continue to post my copyrighted works, namely: a book and a song. A few days ago, I sent the owner of the site a DMCA take down notice with all of the requirements for take down. I was informed by others that my copyrighted... View More
answered on Apr 24, 2019
While it's best to provide a specific URL for avoiding arguments about sufficiency of a DMCA notice, you are correct, there is some leeway that a copyright owner has in providing a notice. However, if you are unable to identify the precise location, that itself is indicative that the website... View More
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