I am developing a NFT collection based on animated sitcons. I know that tracing over the character image to create a new art work is illegal. But what about assets present in the character picture? Things like hats/hairs/clothes and other assets. Can I trace over this assets present in the original... Read more »
answered on Jan 16, 2023
Your question concerns whether the proposed use of the copyrighted material is covered by the "fair use" defense to copyright infringement. Fair Use under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act provides for certain cases where permission from the rights holder is not required. Courts... Read more »
I sent a concept design to a potential client who ended up using it without my permission. I used my firm's email address as I was at work during a lunch break when I sent it. I sent a cease and desist letter to the potential client who stole my concept design. Their lawyer responded by saying... Read more »
answered on Oct 28, 2022
Dear Mrs or Mr,
this case you have presented could be a serious issue which shall be handled by a qualified professional in IP matters in your area. You should seek IP professional in your country and present him or her with more details of the case as this can not be duly and... Read more »
We would like to take on clients to split the funds that the program makes from the buys/sells, but we want to be sure we do it the right way, legally and for tax reasons. We are researching resources to make sure we do this properly.
answered on Oct 31, 2022
You might be considered a financial institution for purposes of US regulations. Since this app would have an online presence and an international reach, you'd need to ask this question in every jurisdiction where you process payments. it is likely you'll need more than one type of lawyer... Read more »
While my now ex boyfriend and I was in jail. A friend got my car impounded. I could have sold it but I didn’t want to. My daughter’s grandma was even offering to get it out. To give to my daughter but she wanted to put it in her name. I didn’t want to sell it so my boyfriends mom said she... Read more »
answered on Jun 15, 2022
Whether there is something you can do that would have very good odds in your favor depends on the powers you specifically gave her in the POA. Was the power strictly limited to removing the vehicle from impound in order to give it to you, or was it more general? Either way, a good first step... Read more »
I received an email from Etsy that another shop owner accused me of intellectual property infringement. The products were both shirts that have the phrase "but did you dye?" on them (different designs). Her shirt does have "TM" after the name in the product title, but I looked... Read more »
answered on Feb 28, 2022
You should definitely consult with an attorney.
She may have rights to a brand even if it is not registered.
The police said I should handle this through arbitration. I have title.
answered on Feb 25, 2022
That's too bad police did not want to deal with it. You have an option of filing a complaint for Civil Theft. Once you get a judgment you will have to initiate a collection suit asking for a Writ of Replevin that's when you turn over that document to the police and they go and get it.
I own a small business that prints artwork wholesale for individuals and businesses. We take every necessary precaution that we’ve purchased rights to most of the art that we print, but some art comes to us by email from businesses that assure us they have permission to reproduce it. What if... Read more »
answered on Feb 4, 2022
Have them provide proof of permission.
Either a license, contract or similar.
Have them sign your terms where they become liable and protect you.
And check with professional liability, to see if you can buy protection for copyright infringement.
Consult with an attorney.
Putting together a slide presentation on common marketing tactics and wanted to use pet food bag images as examples. Wondering if this is legal or if I should block out the names of the pet food bags.
answered on Jan 21, 2022
You should probably repost it under trademark or intellectual property.
Under the Fair Use doctrine you can use a trademark without permission if the use is for educational or informational purposes; so long as it is not used for commercial purposes.
It's been year and hakf we been divorced
answered on Jan 15, 2022
What do you mean you "didt (sic) do community property yet"; Florida isn't a community property state?
I like discovering strange vintage pieces and I don't necessarily want to make "replicas" as I do want to make some alterations to the antique designs/make them more modern/brand-able. I just want to make sure I'm not stepping on anyone's toes/ violating some... Read more »
answered on Jan 14, 2022
Jewelry is copyrightable, but from your description its copyright has long since expired. See: https://guides.library.cornell.edu/copyright/publicdomain
I was at my fiance's grandmother's house who is storing some possessions of her son's. Her son gave her a Christmas tree, so we set it up for her. However, he had a top to another Christmas tree there that we thought belonged to the one he gave her . It didnt light up since it... Read more »
answered on Dec 13, 2021
If the son gave her the tree, it is not his. So no, he couldn't recover for negligent damage to the tree.
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... Read more »
property was hidden that petitioner was in trust for him , bc trustee got divorced and were not able bc my father took my identity and sold the property to him self then when my mother went to sell she couldn't bc it was trust assets and deed and tittle in my name
answered on Nov 6, 2021
Do you have a question? If you do not know what to ask, you should contact an attorney for a consultation as a start
My dad didn't want to put any money in the house to be built,so he did not. About 2yrs went by an my father took a nasty fall down the balcony stairs one night an now he has neurological problems an of course on medication. One evening i looked up the property an it use to be in both there... Read more »
answered on Oct 28, 2021
It wouldn't be your "inheritance" until he were to die. But you could talk to an attorney about possibly becoming his guardian and asking that the deed be set aside.
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... Read 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... Read 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... Read 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... Read more »
I own an LLC (65% share), and my two business partners (35% share - they invested prior to joining as manager-members if that matters) decided to start a competing company while still a manager-member of my company while before it was dissolved. This new company they formed is 100% direct... Read more »
answered on Sep 25, 2021
I’m not sure it is possible to answer this question intelligently due to insufficient facts. How are they member-managers if there’s no operating agreement? And you’re right, fiduciary duty would attach to member-managers. You need to retain a business lawyer to get into the facts in order... Read more »
Hello,
I am wondering if it is legal to record (copy a movie to save as .mp4) a movie with VLC that has been legally purchased (first sale) for personal (non-distributed) use. I would not like to retain the original DVD's (as I travel a lot and enjoy the convenience of a digital... Read more »
answered on Jul 23, 2021
Depends.
You should consult with an attorney to address your concerns.
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..
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