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I own a free-speech, privacy-first platform where users can upload various files, including images. The website uses Artificial Intelligence to detect and flag potentially illegal content, such as CSAM, to prevent uploads or flag for manual review. The flagged content is stored for 24 hours for the... View More 
answered on Mar 21, 2025
Great question! Flagging the content for 24 hours for review is not going to trigger liability for you, because at that point the legal status of the content is still pending verification, and you haven't obtained actual notice of anything illegal. But once you do verify it and find that it is... View More
I have been targeted for cyberbullying and organized harassment over the past three years. Specific individuals and groups have been identified, and I reported this to the Houston Police Department, IC3, and my previous apartment manager. The police issued a case number but said my case isn't... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
You theoretically can sue those responsible if the cyberbullying, harassment, and stalking satisfy the elements of a cognizable legal theory of recovery.
These tend to be very difficult cases to prove. In addition to proving the bad acts and exactly who committed them, you should... View More
I am in the planning phase of starting a business called Konnectabiz.com, which aims to connect small businesses with free resources. We plan to operate primarily in the United States with potential expansion internationally. We purchased the URL Konnectabiz.com, but we are concerned about the... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
The short answer is it depends. The first question is going to be whether consumers are likely to confuse Konnentabiz with a Connectabiz. If there is a likelihood of confusion between the two, the second question will be which entity was using their name (or trademark) in commerce first. In... View More
I am planning to start a dropshipping business using Shopify, but I have no prior experience. I specifically need guidance on handling intellectual property rights and trademarks, as well as ensuring compliance with privacy laws and data protection standards in my online store operations. What... View More
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answered on Mar 9, 2025
Starting a dropshipping business on Shopify requires careful attention to intellectual property (IP) rights and privacy compliance to avoid legal issues. Here’s what you need to consider:
Intellectual Property (IP) Rights & Trademarks
Avoid Selling Counterfeit Goods – Ensure... View More
I record all my phone calls, and I have a recording of my child from such a call. My attorney has advised me that in the state of Ohio, a recording of a child is not admissible in custody court under any circumstances. The only previous custody hearing was the initial divorce, at which time there... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2025
I believe you should listen to your attorney. I would be highly offended if one of my clients were trying to crowdsource a second opinion. Trying to use a recording of a child in court is highly inadvisable. It never sounds the way to a judge the way a client thinks it will. At the most i... View More
I'm creating a syndicated trend report for commercial use and plan to include social media posts and images from brand accounts, Facebook groups, and public blog sites. The content and images are original and created by the brands or account owners. I've never obtained permission before... View More
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answered on Mar 7, 2025
You generally need permission to use social media content in a commercial report. Most social media platforms’ terms of service grant users copyright over their posts, meaning you cannot republish their content for commercial purposes without authorization. Using brand-created images or posts... View More
I am considering selling a PDF version of my book on social media platforms like Facebook. I have not officially registered the copyright for my book nor do I have a business license. The book includes a basic copyright page. My plan is to sell it directly online, emailing the PDF version to buyers... View More
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answered on Mar 7, 2025
You only need a business license to have a physical place of business in a given locale, or to go into customers' homes to perform a service. You don't need a business license to sell a book online. You also don't need to register a copyright in order to sell your book.
Your... View More
I run a cell phone business and recently had a buyer ask to purchase $500,000 worth of cell phones in cash. The buyer is undocumented and wants the phones shipped to California. Am I allowed to proceed with this transaction, and are there any legal restrictions or reporting requirements I should be... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
I have a feeling that somebody wants to replicate what Mossad did to Hamas, but I don't have the answer to your legal question. This is a sufficiently odd transaction, there may not be an answer as it may implicate the laws of other nations and any advice might require knowledge of what and... View More
I am planning to create an online game in Connecticut that is open to participants aged 18 and older from any state. The game awards virtual currency as prizes to winners, and it is a game of skill. Participants will be charged a fee for services. There are no specific terms or conditions other... View More
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answered on Feb 26, 2025
You propose an interesting and potentially lucrative enterprise. The distinction between "skill" or "chance" will be significant to state regulators. Games of chance require special licensing. Games of skill do not. To the extent that your game of skill might incorporate a... View More
I was a victim of a cryptocurrency scam where my CashApp and Coinbase accounts were hacked. Both companies refuse to refund my losses, claiming that I authorized the transactions. I've reached out to both platforms and filed a police report; however, the investigation is taking a long time,... View More
answered on Feb 23, 2025
Hello,
We understand the distress caused by cryptocurrency scams, particularly when financial platforms deny liability. Given the nature of your case—unauthorised transactions on CashApp and Coinbase—you may have several legal and strategic options to pursue recovery.
Immediate... View More
. Someone falsely claimed on Facebook that I slept with multiple people and gave them an STD, accompanied by degrading comments and a screenshot of my profile and posts. This has directly impacted my personal relationships and employment, but I have no way to contact the person to ask them to... View More
answered on Feb 15, 2025
You certainly may sue for defamation. Some considerations are:
1. Can you identify the defendant and locate the person? You'll need to get a summons served for the court to acquire jurisdiction.
2. Are you willing and able to spend thousands of dollars litigating? If you... View More
Online scams claim that following their "system" would earn one approximately $10,000 per month. As part of their presentation, they pulled up all my credit cards online and listed how much was available, dollar-wise, on each one as part of their qualification procedure.... View More
answered on Feb 11, 2025
If you were the victim of an online scam, then the federal bureau of investigation would have jurisdiction over that. You need to contact your local FBI field office and tell them that you want to file a police report. They will intake the report and then go to work to see if they can try to get... View More
I'm a video producer and about to create a YouTube channel. I'd like to know everything I need to know before producing content. The series I plan to create will be a media review channel focusing on four areas. Movies/TV, Music, Books, and Interactive media(Video games, board games,... View More
answered on Feb 20, 2025
I agree with the previous answer. Here are some additional points to consider.
1. Creative Commons & Licensing: To avoid copyright claims, use royalty-free music or footage or create original content.
2. Fan Engagement: Set guidelines for fan submissions and provide disclaimers.... View More
I have signed an agreement with an online company (ZoomInfo) where I pay a monthly amount for a period of 24 months. The information that they provide is contact information for business individuals where I can filter for a specific targeted audience. They provide company names, individual names,... View More
answered on Feb 7, 2025
Your understanding of the CAN-SPAM Act is flawed. You actually can send out cold intro emails without prior consent, but the Act requires such emails to meet certain specified criterion. Among other things, the email must indicate that it is an advertisement and must have an... View More
Let's say an ex had a cop gave you a no contact warning. You want to open up publicly about her verbal and emotional abuse. Can you legally do that if you don't use it to contact them or list any names?
answered on Jan 25, 2025
I get what you're saying, but what is the point? The people who know or care already have their opinion about you and her; people who don't know, probably also don't care, and you "coming out publicly" won't win you any allies.
Think about it: your best case... View More
I'm a streamer playing Minecraft, Fortnite, etc. and know not to use the actual audio of a song (unless it's copyright free or old enough, etc.), but I'm not sure if I can just sing a pop song by someone famous without potentially getting into legal trouble... YouTube hasn't... View More
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answered on Jan 25, 2025
If you are seeking to use the captions from a YouTube video as your own lyrics, this may be considered copyright infringement if you are not using the captions for a different purpose, such as for education or commentary purposes in Fair Use.
Captions to a YouTube video are justified for... View More
The phrase I want to use is trademarked by one LLC in connection with fragrances and related products, and by another in connection with coffee-based beverages and caffeinated soft drinks. I would like the trademark for a YouTube video show about basketball, and potentially for merchandise... View More
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answered on Jan 17, 2025
Yes, it's possible to trademark a phrase for use in an unrelated field, even if it's already trademarked in other fields. If your trademark does not create a 'likelihood of confusion' with the existing trademarks in the minds of consumers, you may be able to register it for your... View More
A person made a non-recorded inflammatory comment to my now deceased mother, along the lines of telling her to shut up without saying those exact words. My mother was dying at the time. When she refused communicating with her, this same person sent a handwritten note scolding and berating my... View More
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answered on Nov 29, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation you've been facing, especially during such a challenging time after your mother's passing. I hope the following information provides some clarity and guidance.
Please note that this is general information based on the details... View More
My parent died of cancer years ago but the latest damaging action by the offending party happened this calendar year. Prior to death, person spoke to her she could not express opinion without she asked her to. Then mailed a dismissive handwritten card when they stayed away. At the funeral, this... View More
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answered on Nov 26, 2024
To begin with, you mentioned that the incident happened years ago. Generally speaking, with some exceptions, personal injury actions (not medical malpractice) commenced against a non-municipal defendant have a three year statute of limitations. Additionally, based upon the fact pattern you... View More
My parent died of cancer years ago but the latest damaging action by the offending party happened this calendar year. Prior to death, person spoke to her she could not express opinion without she asked her to. Then mailed a dismissive handwritten card when they stayed away. At the funeral, this... View More
answered on Nov 26, 2024
Sorry to hear what you're going through. Generally speaking, to bring an action for negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, you need to demonstrate conduct that is "so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and... View More
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