Get free answers to your Intellectual Property legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Ohio
I am writing a history book for publication about people in my hometown who lived in the late 1800s. Since newspapers don’t exist anymore from that time, my two choices are either microfilm at my local library or websites that have digitized newspapers. Both options are nothing more than exact... View More 
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answered on May 1, 2024
Yes, newspapers and U.S. Censuses published before January 1, 1929, are generally considered to be in the public domain in the United States and are free to use without restriction.
According to U.S. copyright law, works published before 1929 have fallen into the public domain due to... View More
This book was published once, about the voyage of the tugboat Eppleton Hall. This boat is in the collection of San Francisco Maritime NHP, and we have very few copies. The price of the book went way up after a YouTube video about the boat was posted. We'd like to make an electronic copy for... View More
answered on Apr 30, 2024
The public copyright catalog shows assignment in 1979 of the copyright in 122 titles including Eppleton Hall, from Howell-North Books to Leisure Dynamics of California, Inc. California records show that Leisure Dynamics' authority to do business was suspended in 1979 for failure to pay state... View More
This book was published once, about the voyage of the tugboat Eppleton Hall. This boat is in the collection of San Francisco Maritime NHP, and we have very few copies. The price of the book went way up after a YouTube video about the boat was posted. We'd like to make an electronic copy for... View More
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answered on Apr 30, 2024
To determine the copyright status of the book "The Eppleton Hall" by Scott Newhall, published in 1971 by Howell-North Books, we need to consider the following factors:
1. Copyright term: Under the Copyright Act of 1976, which took effect on January 1, 1978, the copyright term for... View More
My name is very unique. I can't look me up anymore. Credit bureaus can't verify me. When I try to look my name up it is now under my parents name as an alias and only shows my 2 siblings.
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answered on May 1, 2024
If a company is using your unique name on their product, and it's causing significant problems for you, there are several steps you can take. First, consider reaching out to the company directly to express your concerns and the specific issues their use of your name is causing. A respectful... View More
My name is very unique. I can't look me up anymore. Credit bureaus can't verify me. When I try to look my name up it is now under my parents name as an alias and only shows my 2 siblings.
answered on Apr 30, 2024
Under trademark law, no one can register a trademark with a person's surname (i.e., last name). Companies can still use a name as a trademark/brand and simply not apply for federal or state trademark registration. If a first name is unique, then it might fall under the trademark category... View More
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answered on May 1, 2024
Editing and redistributing a game's .dll file without permission is likely to be illegal for several reasons:
1. Copyright infringement: Most games and their associated files are protected by copyright. Modifying and distributing copyrighted files without the owner's permission is... View More
I'm curious to know how the trademark works and copyright of the images.
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answered on Apr 29, 2024
There are a few intellectual property considerations to keep in mind here:
Copyright: The Iron Giant character and images from the film are likely protected by copyright, which is held by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Using copyrighted images of the Iron Giant on darts you plan to sell,... View More
Also is it legal to use it in the marketing of the book? Since I would be making money of the book, I'm assuming there could be some issues with using their name and logo if they haven't agreed to me using it. The book is fictional, and is about a murderer who uses Tinder to find his victims.
answered on May 24, 2024
Fortunately, the First Amendment states that there shall be “no law” restricting freedom of speech or the press. The fair use doctrine allows the use of a trademark when it is used in a way not to deceive the public. For example, it is a fair use to use a trademark in the title of a literary... View More
Also is it legal to use it in the marketing of the book? Since I would be making money of the book, I'm assuming there could be some issues with using their name and logo if they haven't agreed to me using it. The book is fictional, and is about a murderer who uses Tinder to find his victims.
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answered on Apr 29, 2024
There are a few potential legal issues to consider when using a trademarked name like "Tinder" in the title and marketing of a book:
1. Trademark infringement: Tinder is a registered trademark owned by Match Group, LLC. Using their trademark in a way that could cause confusion or... View More
It seems long & expensive to apply for a patent & I have limited resources.
However I don't want to see someone else get the credit or financial recompense of my experimentation & hard work.
I especially don't want to get locked out of my own designs if... View More
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answered on Apr 26, 2024
Hi there! I'd be happy to provide some guidance on protecting your new tableware design. Given the information you've shared, a design patent may be the most appropriate type of intellectual property protection for your work. Here's an overview of the process, costs, and timeline:... View More
Would this be an issue or would this be considered a different enough business to be allowed.
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
The issue of whether your baseball facility can use the name "X" when there is already a softball facility named "X Softball" depends on several factors. Here are a few considerations:
1. Trademark: If "X Softball" has a registered trademark for their name,... View More
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
I'm sorry to hear that your product photos and listings have been used on Temu without your permission. This is a serious issue known as intellectual property (IP) infringement. Here are some steps you can take to address this situation:
1. Document the infringement: Take screenshots... View More
Could these patents be deemed invalid?
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
The validity of a patent depends on several factors, such as the novelty and non-obviousness of the invention, and whether the patent application meets the legal requirements. Not including the names of the actual inventors (in this case, the electrical engineers or designers) on the patent could... View More
I'm selling some replica of aloha shirts worn by actors from the 80s movies. I'm basically drawing the design from what I see on screen then selling it advertised as 'movie prop replica'. There are no logos, brands or company names mentioned. Just the name of the actor and the... View More
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
The legality of selling replica aloha shirts based on movie props can be complex and varies by jurisdiction. In general, copyright law protects original artistic works, which can include fabric designs and patterns, even without logos or brand names. Key considerations:
1. Copyright: If the... View More
We are developing a prediction application for soccer matches. The only place we want to use logos is where we list matches with their date and starting time and their live scores. Our source of income is by watching reward videos advertisements and buying coins via in app purchase. There tons of... View More
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
There are a few key considerations when it comes to using soccer team logos and names in your app without explicit permission:
Fair Use: Using team logos and names for informational purposes, like listing upcoming match details and live scores, could potentially be considered fair use. Fair... View More
So I am doing a book for Amazon, and it is a book showcasing original creature creations I created myself. Some of them are inspired by some copyrighted characters, but are altered completely so they won't be a copy or anything, even if its similar, it isn't fan art or anything though.
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
When it comes to copyright and original creature creations, there are a few important points to consider:
1. Original creations: If you have created original creatures from scratch, you generally hold the copyright to those creations. This means you have the exclusive right to reproduce,... View More
A toolkit was created using ChatGPT and the toolkit will be released to the public. I'm wondering if that is considered plagiarism.
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
The situation you've described is a complex one without a clear-cut answer, as the intellectual property considerations around AI-generated content are still being debated and the legal landscape is evolving. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Plagiarism typically involves... View More
I am reaching out to seek expertise on a copyright matter that pertains to the creation and sale of AI-generated images of celebrities, specifically Johnny Depp.
As an entrepreneur exploring opportunities in the digital art space, I am considering the possibility of generating and selling... View More
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
I appreciate you reaching out for legal guidance on this matter. There are a few key legal considerations to be aware of:
1. Copyright: In general, using AI to generate original artistic images would not inherently violate copyright law, since you are not directly copying existing... View More
I am reaching out to seek expertise on a copyright matter that pertains to the creation and sale of AI-generated images of celebrities, specifically Johnny Depp.
As an entrepreneur exploring opportunities in the digital art space, I am considering the possibility of generating and selling... View More
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answered on Apr 24, 2024
Hi! This is an interesting and innovative question that I have seen a few times. The question confuses copyright and associated legal doctrine of fair use with rights of publicity, which are a completely different area of law that does not embrace "fair use".
If you have a... View More
I'm making a new card game, and while all of the art is original, I'm worried someone might steal it. If I were to copyright it would it protect all of my art or just one single card?
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answered on Apr 25, 2024
When you create a card game with original artwork, you automatically have copyright protection for each individual piece of art you created. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office (assuming you're in the United States) provides additional benefits and makes it... View More
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