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Q: Hello!Is it legal to use the LYRICS ONLY of a song in a YouTube video? As in, a cappella only my own voice?

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

Sarah Teresa Haddad
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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...
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Q: If a trademark is being used for 2 different fields (by 2 different companies), can I trademark it in an unrelated field

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

Shefali Lakhani
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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

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Business Law and Internet Law for New York on
Q: Is it legal to inform a business that one of its employees did something inconsiderate outside the nature of business?

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

Stephen Bilkis
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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...
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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for New York on
Q: Can I sue for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress or Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

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

Mark A. Siesel
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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

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for New York on
Q: Can I sue for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress or Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

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

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
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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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for New York on
Q: Can I sue for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress or Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

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

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Nov 29, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the distressing experiences you've been facing, especially during such a difficult time after the loss of your parent. I hope the following information provides some clarity and guidance on your situation.

Please note that this is general information based...
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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Copyright for Louisiana on
Q: Is it legal to take a recipe video from instagram and use an AI bot to create a recipe list from said video?

Would allow users to copy a link to the video and then paste it into the app, the AI would generate a shopping list and recipe steps to make said dish.

Sarah Teresa Haddad
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answered on Oct 24, 2024

AI generating the shopping list and recipe steps from the link to the video: whether or not this is considered copyright infringement of the contents of the video or "illegal", will depend on if using the AI generative tool in this way will be considered Fair Use of the content of the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Intellectual Property and Internet Law on
Q: Can other companies track, map and time people’s runs or do strava cover this? If they do, how come MapMyRun etc exist
Sarah Teresa Haddad
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answered on Oct 21, 2024

Tracking, mapping, and timing people's runs through an invention or product would need to include an inventive step, that moves beyond an abstract idea(s), to be considered patent eligible. Tracking, mapping, and timing people's runs can be achieved through existing systems and in some... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Internet Law for Connecticut on
Q: Hello. I intend to file a suit against a company that's not located in my home state of CT.

Hello. I intend to file a suit against a company that's not located in my home state of CT. The other company is located in Wyoming and California, as well as other countries. It seems very vague as to whether or not I can file the suit in CT. Can anyone clarify this? What I can tell you about... View More

Alan Harrison
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answered on Sep 9, 2024

Yes, you can file suit in CT for an injury that happened here, and it is something that a licensed CT attorney like myself could help with. You should be aware that a "foreign" (out-of-state) company could try to have the case "removed" to Federal court if the amount in dispute... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Gaming and Internet Law for New Jersey on
Q: Can I gamble and play online poker(real money) in a public library on public internet in NJ, US?

I was considering playing online poker for real money, but I have a nosy family member that is spying on my internet connection at home. Can I play on my laptop at a local library and on their internet? I'm not sure if this is legal, since there could be minors in the public area and this is... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 4, 2024

Computers set up for the public, as in libraries or employment offices, generally have limitations on their uses. That could mean prohibiting their use for activities other than general and educational purposes. You would need to read the library's usage terms for more definitive guidance. Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law for Massachusetts on
Q: When Deleting an Online Account will that Void any Agreements that has been Made between myself and that Website,

or will the Agreement still be Valid?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 30, 2024

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney who is familiar with state-specific consumer protections, the short answer is that it depends on the terms of the agreement. It's possible there could... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Federal Crimes and Internet Law for South Carolina on
Q: A person is threatening to kill my wife and I despite the restraining order I have against him, is this illegal?
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

It is illegal for someone to threaten to kill you and your wife, especially if you have a restraining order against them. Such threats are considered serious crimes and can be classified as harassment, intimidation, or making terroristic threats, depending on your location. The restraining order... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Entertainment / Sports, Intellectual Property and Internet Law for Texas on
Q: Is it legal to make amateur pornography and upload it in Texas?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 20, 2024

Creating and uploading amateur pornography in Texas is generally legal, provided that all participants are consenting adults. It's crucial to ensure that everyone involved is over the age of 18 and has given explicit consent to be filmed and have the footage distributed. Failure to verify ages... View More

2 Answers | Asked in International Law, Employment Law and Internet Law for California on
Q: possible scam,remote jobs,international,online transactions

So sorry for being so rude , I’m actually Chinese and live in china now. I have taken a remote job on this app called Upwor*Talent since June. I work for a company as their translator.

Oddly, they chose to work via telegram , but not on Upwor*Talent, where I was recruited.I was told that... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 1, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about the situation you're in. Based on the details you've provided, this has several hallmarks of a common online job scam. Here are some key points and advice:

1. Red flags of a potential scam:

- Moving communication off the original platform...
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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Law, Internet Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Need to talk with a lawyer about a lawsuit because my online earnings have been depleted when promised they would not.

My job is rating products for a commission and I have earned so much that I have gone up three levels and I need to finish a small set of rating products to receive all my earnings, but the system has welfare tasks that put your earnings

into a negative amount equal to what you have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

I can offer some general information that may be helpful:

1. Documentation: It's positive that you have chat transcripts from customer service and the CEO stating that a welfare task would not occur before you finish your remaining tasks. This documentation could potentially be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law and Criminal Law on
Q: Hello. Someone ask me for an online job vacancy.

Hello. Someone ask me for an online job vacancy. The job was to make an online dating apps account and the purpose is to promote his/her online account for marketing purposes. He sent a demo - it includes using emails so he sent me dummy emails and crop pictures of some tinder account. Then delete... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

This situation raises several legal and ethical concerns.

1. Fraud and misrepresentation: Creating fake dating profiles using others' photos without their consent is generally considered fraudulent activity. It misrepresents the identity of the account holder and can be seen as a form...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury, Banking, Internet Law and Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am being stalked. I have some printed evidence but my phone is corrupted. Can Apple be held responsible/failed sec?

I have some valuable information but most of it is online and that is badly corrupted. Anything I want to show you on my phone would have to be in person and likely wouldn't be available. Still I have managed to print some evidence to at least prove a problem.

Apple has mostly... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

I understand you're in a difficult and distressing situation involving stalking and potential security issues with your devices and accounts. I'll try to provide some general guidance, but please note that this is a complex legal matter that may require consultation with a local attorney... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law and Juvenile Law for Ohio on
Q: Is it illegal for a minor to draw and show publicly nude paintings of non-minors?

Example: A 14 year old having vaginal imagery in a painting.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

This is a sensitive legal question involving minors and sexual content. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Laws around minors and sexual content can be complex and vary by jurisdiction. In general, there are concerns about protecting minors from exploitation.

2. Artistic...
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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to joke that I am “the unofficial lawyer” for a group of people online?

I do give legal advice, but it is nothing that is actually being taken to court, saying stuff like “doxxing is illegal under these laws”

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 17, 2024

It's fairly clear to the average person that you mean it jokingly, but as my colleague suggests, it could be better to avoid saying such things. It could be safer to say something like, "This is the way I would interpret it, but it could best to check with a lawyer in Illinois ." Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Internet Law and Legal Malpractice for Illinois on
Q: Is it illegal to joke that I am “the unofficial lawyer” for a group of people online?

I do give legal advice, but it is nothing that is actually being taken to court, saying stuff like “doxxing is illegal under these laws”

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 29, 2024

Claiming to be a lawyer or providing legal services without proper licensure and credentials can potentially be problematic. Even if meant as a joke, it could be misinterpreted. There are laws in many jurisdictions against the unauthorized practice of law.

Some key points to consider:...
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