Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Don't want to get sued if someone else uses the name either.
answered on Nov 14, 2021
A trademark is what you are looking for. In the United States, they are established through use in commerce ("common law trademark.") To protect your rights in it, though, you should register it. Trademarks can be registered with a state or a federal government office. Federal... View More 
Fees to copyright songs have risen greatly. While one can copyright a batch of songs (10) to save on fees I am looking for an alternative. As a song author, how can I protect a song without having to initially copyright it?
If the interest was to be had in a particular work I'd... View More
answered on Oct 22, 2021
Registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.
ear straps for a binky for babys attached to the side wholes of the binky. i would like to actually create something like this and see its already out but wanted ,ore information on it. i saw clips that you clip onto the binky but i was to have mine built in and mass produce. can you help me please?
answered on Oct 13, 2021
You will need to contact a patent attorney to determine if your product would infringe on a patented product. Perhaps the patent you saw has already expired or no longer valid, but there may be other patented products that you may be at risk of infringing. It is important to determine the... View More
A well known British singer living in Santa Monica. They are using my US copyrighted Office photographic images I took of them before they became famous in 1989 in music video's plus at least in 2 books and across all platforms. The image is also embedded in their music video which is all over... View More
answered on Oct 5, 2021
You might have a claim for copyright infringement. I've handled a similar case in federal court involving the unauthorized use of photographs of models. You need an attorney to research the cause of action and make a formal demand, at the very least. I am very interested in the case. Feel free... View More
answered on Sep 4, 2021
Probably. You are probably confusing copyright with trademark.
You can use your name pretty much anyway you want
You need to consult an attorney
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answered on Aug 25, 2021
Sadly no. Patents typically have a maximum lifetime of about 20 years from the filing date. Although this can be adjusted a bit for delays at the USPTO, usually, the adjustments are only for a few months or years.
A 1993 patent era patent is likely long expired, is probably public... View More
I am simply using the name for a recreational adult softball team. I do not have any copyrighted designs or logos, but I just want to know if using the phrase alone is illegal, if I put it on a jersey.
I'd like to open a DC comics-themed restaurant, do I need to buy a license from them, even though most of the characters are not listed for Hotels and Restaurants?
answered on Jul 17, 2021
Yes, as well as corporate and possibly tax. The characters, likeness and their use are currently owned by DC Entertainment which is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers etc..
I need clarification, this site is called ask a lawyer, not ask google, what are you hiding or is that a part of the b.a.r (secret)?
For instance a popular tweet such as a post by someone called @geraldinreverse: "well, well, well, if it isn't the consequenses of my own actions."
It got almost 300K likes and 140K retweets.
Is that phrase owned by @geraldinreverse or can I print that phrase on a shirt and sell it?
answered on Jun 2, 2021
Depends
Consult with an attorney
You are referring to copyright
There are requirements related to copyrights such as innovation and creativity, and also the scope or size of creation
It is likely that what you indicated does not fall under copyright, maybe under... View More
answered on May 20, 2021
Probably because they think it's an infringement on their right to their trade name. Why don't you ask them?
answered on May 18, 2021
Yes it is
And you are violating it and they can sue you
If you want to show that image, buy a licensed shirt
consult with an attorney
I was thinking of using the words “lucky 13” for some clothing designs and just wanted to be sure not to step on anyone’s toes by doing that.
answered on May 16, 2021
You need to consult with an attorney and search for potential of conflict
Best luck
Marcos
They aren't passing off the content (poems) as their own. They are just reading it in a ASMR fashion to make money.
answered on May 4, 2021
What is copyright infringement? As a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner. Since you use the poem in a way that you are making... View More
I have been working with my lawyer for 1.5 years, and just as my disability retirement case is in the final stages (which looks like it won't be a winner), they decided to withdraw as my lawyer because they say I am not cooperating in good faith. Basically, the lawyer wanted me to submit my... View More
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answered on Apr 5, 2021
I’m sorry you had a negative experience with your attorney. Hire another attorney to handle your disability case if you don’t want to represent yourself. The issues with the forms from the doctor may have caused a problem with your case or it could be a the whole set of records don’t support... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2021
Hi There!! A copyright is technically created the moment artistic expression is reduced to a fixed medium. To register your copyright see the government site https://copyright.gov/ which is very informative.
Good Luck!!
answered on Feb 6, 2021
Yes you can. However, depending on whether your improved product falls within the original patent you may need a license to the original patent to sell a product. If your improvement is a kit to upgrade the original product then you may be ok. Lots of details and nuances. Best bet is to talk... View More
I want to be able to have a pocket for each foot to fit into (like a shoe) made of a silicone material that can fit in between 2 layers of silicone that looks and works like a Mermaid tail. Such as a mono fin or Flippers that are connected and require a swimmer to use both feet at once, unlike... View More
answered on Jan 9, 2021
I suppose you are asking whether you can get a patent for your product or conversely, whether your product could potentially infringe another patented product. A patent attorney can do a patentability search on your product and review patented products to provide you with an opinion on both these... View More
Reef Chicks is registered to an ex co-owner of the company. I need to renew the trademark and have the owner name changed.
answered on Dec 1, 2020
A petition to revive an abandoned registration might be an option, but there are time limits involved. A revival petition must be filed no later than 2 mos. after the expiration notice (so that seems to have been September based on your July date). But if the registrant didn't receive the... View More
Can I use a group name and copyright it for entertainment purposes?
answered on Nov 20, 2020
Names that are used to identify the source of goods or services, such as a group providing entertainment services, may be registered as trademarks. This is different from registering literary or musical works for copyright protection. Consult with a trademark attorney for more information.
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