Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I would like to use this quote in my book
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
William Shakespeare
But I got it/saw it on wedsites like goodsread, A-Z, and more. Can they legally come after me if I use such quotes from... View More 
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answered on Dec 10, 2023
Using a quote from a figure like William Shakespeare in your book is generally not a legal issue, especially considering Shakespeare's works are in the public domain. His works were published over 400 years ago, and any original copyright has long since expired.
However, when sourcing... View More
Quotes by genghis khan and Jane Austen to be specific. And does just changing the grammar of works in public domain, enough of change to grant copyright protection?
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answered on Dec 8, 2023
In general, works published before 1923 are in the public domain in the United States, which includes quotes from individuals such as Genghis Khan and Jane Austen. This means these quotes are not protected by copyright and can be used freely.
However, the situation regarding altering works... View More
I plan on using it as my script title
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answered on Aug 25, 2024
The phrase "Crossroads of America" is not the official state motto of Kentucky; it is actually associated with Indiana. Kentucky's state motto is "United We Stand, Divided We Fall." However, even though "Crossroads of America" is not Kentucky's motto, it is... View More
It's a substack I want to start where I summarize news from all over the internet, in a very succint way, and in totally my own words (no quotes from sources)
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answered on Mar 29, 2023
It is generally not advisable to publish a summary of news articles without attributing sources. While you may use your own words to summarize the content, it is still important to acknowledge the original sources to avoid any potential issues with plagiarism or copyright infringement.
It... View More
That means we will miss him..3950mhz
I'm an educator, and I have purchased a class set of books for the year. Due to COVID, we had to go virtual. Am I able to scan the book and share exclusively with my class? There is no digital copy for purchase.
answered on Aug 10, 2021
Ask the publisher
They may be able to grant you a license, or offer a cheap royalty
I'm on the email list of a state attorney general and after his term(s), I want to put a book together consisting of email blasts sent from the AG's office. Can I do this since they might be considered public domain? I do admire the AG and would be putting out positive content, shall I... View More
answered on May 25, 2021
Maybe. Consult with an attorney.
You are correct that the information is in essence public domain, but there may be some quirks to pay attention to
My family and I play dnd as a small group. Is it legal for us to use images from google as tokens for our characters?
The tokens do not get distributed and the images are only seen by us.
Would this qualify as fair use or would we need to seek permission to use the pictures.
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answered on Jan 8, 2021
This is a very important question. Before you invest in creating products or services using images found online, it is important to know who the "rights holder" is (the person who owns the legal rights to the photograph).
In some cases, a photo may be in the public domain, but... View More
answered on Nov 23, 2020
Yes, you should be able to do that.
The technology with credit cards has evolved by using raised numbers, then magnetic strips, then chips, so if you come up with yet another advance in technology, you should be able to get a patent on that.
Or if you make a credit card that is... View More
I intend on editing (adding text and additional imagery) the original footage as well. I have seen other YouTube channels get away with using NBC Sports' footage by simply giving them credit.
answered on Jun 24, 2020
Copyright generally gives of the owner of the work the exclusive right to copy and display the work. This means the owner is the only one allowed to copy or display … plus other rights. There are exceptions – one being fair use. Review the fair use factors on the copyright.gov website at:... View More
The developer is in India and has the ready-made app that I need to run my business. Developer is offering to sell me a license to use the app since I do not have the money to buy the app outright. However, I am concerned about paying for use of the app only and end up in a situation where the app... View More
answered on May 26, 2020
The advice you are asking for might be too complicated to answer on a message board here. And, if it is a major business decision it should be done with the proper due diligence.
A potential tactic that can be used is ask the person you are buying the license from if they have a standard... View More
I did not give consent for selling
answered on Apr 15, 2020
For the most part, copyright exclusive rights attach immediately when you take the photograph. If you took the photo originally and did not take a photo of someone else's photo, then you own the copyright rights in that picture. That does not mean you can distribute the photograph of the... View More
and no Out of Network fees that consumer can cut out, download or scan a barcode etc. to receive discounts and reduced medical bills.
Could anybody else make a medical coupon similar to mine?
answered on Mar 26, 2020
Yes.
Variations of the same theme can be made.
Copyright is about the copying of the product. Not the production of similar products.
There are a lot of furniture designs copyrights and photos.
What it prevents is somebody taking your work and making a copy of it for... View More
answered on Feb 6, 2019
If it is still in use and with valid registration you can contact the person who holds the registration.
You have the challenge of what the value.
If the trademark is not registered, you may have other options.
Consult an attorney and let me know if I can help.
answered on Feb 19, 2018
It depends on what is trademarked. It could be the logo, it could be the stylized lettering, or it could be the text itself. You, or your trademark lawyer, should be able to find out upon examining the Trademark Office files.
So I have a question regarding copyrighting a work of art of a copyrighted character I own/created. If I created a character that I already got copyrighted by the US copyright office, and paid someone for art of that character and want to include it on my already existing copyright of that... View More
answered on Mar 10, 2017
It would be preferable to have a formal "work for hire" contract with the artist, but since you purchased the work the presumption is that it conveyed with all property rights, especially as it is of your character.
We asked an artist who was a friend to help w/ art for a char of a fake species we're designing. My bestie offered to do an art trade for the art. Since the artist was a friend of ours she offered to just do the art for free instead. Her, my BF and bestie all collab'd on the art. He had a... View More
answered on Feb 9, 2017
You haven't asked a question, but I assume you'd like to know whether your friend can post this work online and would like to know who owns the work.
17 USC 101 defines a "joint work" as a "work prepared by two or more authors with the intention that their... View More
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