Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I want to create and sell a custom ball-shaped product similar to a "magic 8 ball," with a different color, my own logo, and 20 unique answers. I know Mattel owns the patent and the traditional answers might be copyrighted. Are there any legal issues I should be aware of before... View More 
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answered on Mar 10, 2025
Based on my limited review, the patent family for Mattel's "Magic 8 Ball" patents appears to be either abandoned or expired. You can reference this here: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov/applications/10139148/continuity?application=. For patents that are abandoned or expired, there... View More
by someone i mean that if someone is pretending and claiming an art work is theirs, when it was proven false. that would be False copyright striking . If im correct, false copyright strikes are against the law?
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answered on May 10, 2024
Yes, you are correct. False copyright strikes, also known as fraudulent or abusive copyright claims, are against the law in many jurisdictions. This practice involves knowingly making false claims of copyright infringement against content that the claimant does not actually own or have the rights... View More
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answered on Mar 15, 2024
The phrase "Straight Outta" is well-known and often associated with the music and entertainment industry, particularly with the hip-hop group N.W.A. and their album "Straight Outta Compton." If this phrase has been trademarked, its use could be restricted in certain contexts,... View More
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answered on Mar 15, 2024
When considering the use of acronyms, particularly one as widely recognized as 'MAGA', it's important to note the context and existing trademark laws. Trademarks protect brand names, slogans, and logos that distinguish goods and services. If 'MAGA' is trademarked for... View More
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
To protect your math puzzle game, you have a few options. Copyright would protect the specific expression of your game, such as the artwork, design, and written instructions, but not the underlying idea or concept. Patenting your game could protect the idea or mechanics behind it, but this can be... View More
A friend of mine had digital art made for their stream but the hair on the character was incorrect so she had it changed. The artist is claiming that it violates their rights under VARA
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
Under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), artists have certain rights to integrity of their work, which includes the right to prevent alterations or modifications that could harm their reputation. However, VARA protections generally apply to physical works of art rather than digital creations.... View More
My business idea is basicaly a service to make advertising more accessible to solo artists/makers.
I would write a Facebook post scheduling app. Then erect a website where solo artists/makers can purchase a campaign. A campaign would consist of a series of scheduled posts and possibly email... View More
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answered on Dec 10, 2023
To mitigate the risk of copyright infringement liability in your business, it's essential to implement clear policies and procedures. First, establish a terms of service agreement for your users, clearly stating that they must own or have the right to use all content they include in their... View More
I want to use the term “dasher” but I don’t want to get my videos taken down for any copyright or trademark reasons. Could I use “food dasher” or is that still riding the line. I don’t intend to make any money with this short film so I don’t know if that changes the question. Some... View More
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answered on Jan 1, 2025
You can use the term “dasher,” but you’ll want to keep your project from looking like it’s affiliated with any real service. Even if your film is non-commercial, you could still run into complications if your usage confuses viewers about brand involvement. Stick to generic references and... View More
They are requesting me provide a license or negotiate. I can also pay "settlement" of $1400. I can buy a license today for $170. My question is, can I buy a license and email them the info and be done with this? Or will they say, I didn't have it in the past and want me to still... View More
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answered on Dec 11, 2024
Copyright infringement claims from law firms like Higbee & Associates are serious matters that deserve careful consideration. While purchasing a current license shows good faith, it unfortunately doesn't resolve potential claims for past unauthorized use. Think of it like paying for a... View More
I plan to use a portion of a map with additional pictures, so it would be used to create an infographic.
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answered on Aug 6, 2024
When considering using maps created by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for your infographic, you need to be cautious about copyright issues. Generally, government-created works can sometimes be used freely, but this is not always the case at the state level, including Georgia.... View More
I want to build, own and operate a home as an airbnb that is mostly a historical recreation but I want to incorporate a couple of rooms that are themed after the bedrooms of characters from a popular tv show and this home would be located near the filming locations of said show. Do I need... View More
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answered on Aug 2, 2024
To decorate your Airbnb rooms to resemble those from a popular TV show, you likely need to consider intellectual property rights. Creating rooms that closely mimic the show's set design could be seen as an infringement of the film studio's copyrights. This is especially true if you plan... View More
I looked up a denial of rights of access form and was gonna just replace enlgland with USA and my name instead of address. Will this work?
answered on Sep 28, 2023
It isn't fully clear by what is meant by entering a contract unknowingly. At any rate, an attorney is probably going to want to see the contract you entered into. It sounds like you may have designated someone to act on your behalf in a contract or the formation of an entity, but that's... View More
answered on Sep 11, 2023
The answer is YES. The "first sale doctrine", codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109, provides that an individual who knowingly purchases a copy of a copyrighted work from the copyright holder receives the right to sell, display or otherwise dispose of that particular copy, notwithstanding the... View More
Skippy's Snack Shack
answered on Aug 8, 2023
If you are planning to use "Skippy's Snack Shack" as the name of a retail bakery shop, you would have a low risk with respect to the mark for Skippy peanut butter. However, if you used this name on the snacks themselves, you could potentially run into a problem. You should contact... View More
I have a few businesses I have committed to and I am looking to brand them.
answered on Jun 19, 2023
Consult an experienced trademark attorney, to conduct a careful search to assure the marks are not confusingly similar to others in use, to advise how they should be used, and to prosecute the applications to register with the USPTO.
I have been referred to and have been using "Captain HR" since 2018. I am a Human Resources Executive leader with more than 25 years of experience helping individuals and organizations manage the difficult "People Issues" that occur in a normal work environment. I would like to... View More
answered on Jun 4, 2023
The mark CAPTAIN HR was registered on Jan 17, 2023 (Reg. No. 6956501, SN 97188633) for employment related services by ECOMM ALPHA LLC (Washington).
answered on May 20, 2023
A Georgia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. However, this sounds like it might be more of an intellectual property matter than an arbitration matter, the category where it's posted. If you're talking about similarity in terms of wording, logos,... View More
By comment I mean analyzing a clothing piece?
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answered on Mar 29, 2023
Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without obtaining permission from the rights holder for certain purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Whether or not the use of a copyrighted image in a blog would be... View More
Case: Copyright Infringment
I have been working on a synopsis and pitch deck for a long time, approximately a year. I had experienced a true to life scary experierence and felt like producers would be interested in a true story for a horror movie. After talking to many people in the film... View More
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answered on Mar 29, 2023
Based on the information provided, it seems like there may be potential for a copyright infringement case if the podcaster used your work without your permission. To determine the strength of the case, a lawyer would need to review the specifics of your situation, such as the details of your... View More
Someone stole my images
answered on Mar 25, 2023
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