Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
7 years ago, while a newly trained massage therapist I made a site for my "future dream practice" using an HTML template. I didn't know then about copyright for images online. I picked some random images from google just to use as placeholders to substitute the empty gray placeholder... View More 
answered on Dec 2, 2020
You should consider consulting with an attorney.
Unless you stopped paying for hosting or the domain name it is difficult to think that the website is not active.
Regardless you should remove all offending material ASAP.
You may want to negotiate with them, hopefully without... View More
Are there any copyright violations? I believe that someone I am friends with on Facebook, took a screenshot of my private pictures and shared them via email with this blogger? Is it worth retaining a lawyer?
answered on Oct 6, 2020
This will largely hinge on (1) Facebook's Terms of Use ("TOU"); (2) Your privacy settings on this particular photo; and (3) the manner in which you chose to have this photo shared. Generally your right to privacy only extends to where a person "has a reasonable expectancy"... View More
I designed the unique custom paint scheme for my car. Many publications take photos of custom vehicles then produce a product, magazine articles, for profit. Can a copyright protect me from someone else profiting off my labors?
answered on Jul 16, 2020
Absolutely! You can definitley protect your design. Imagine someone took a picture off a photographer's website and printed it on their vehicle; just because they used it on their car doesn't mean they haven't infringed on that copyright! The important part is that it's not the... View More
would i need permissions
answered on Jun 19, 2020
One can commit trademark infringement if there is use of a mark where: (a) the mark is the same as -- or similar to -- another mark; and (b) that use will cause likelihood of confusion to a potential consumer, that both marks are indicating a common source of the goods/services.
In addition... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2020
Depends
There are a lot of factors in play
Has that compound being used before for something?
Has it been in existence before?
Did it have other elements that can be considered generic? so that a previous compound may be used if minor changes are made
Is it... View More
Hello
I want to make t-shirts with the box logo, but without the word "supreme." I am making shirts with simular (looks exactly the same) font with the same red but it says "Winga." Is this illegal? I am also making shirts with other colors.
I tried to contact... View More
answered on Apr 16, 2020
We need more details so I can give you better guidance.
Check my website www.legalbizglobal.com
480 324 6378
It will depend on how similar the designs are.
If you are just printing supreme on your t-shirts for example, you may have an argument that it is a generic... View More
I recently discovered a vhs tape of a stand-up comedy shot that I shot in 1993 at a Comedy Club. I was given permission by the comedy club to tape it as I was one of the comedians performing that night. I recently viewed the video again for the first time in almost 30 years....and 2 of the... View More
answered on Apr 3, 2020
Very likely you are not. It is very possible the people in the video have some rights over the video.
You may have to reach out to the people live or their estate and get permission from them.
You should consult with an attorney, and also talk with an insurance company that... View More
Suppose, for example, I choreograph a dance and teach it to a group. But before I take other action, someone from the group makes a video of himself doing or teaching the dance---not claiming to have created it, in fact explicitly giving me credit. The dance is now fixed in tangible form, but not... View More
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answered on Feb 18, 2020
Did you write down the steps to the choreography? If so, you may have fixed tangible expression already. If not, I would suggest putting it into a tangible fixed form as soon as possible and then registering it with the Copyright office. If I can assist you further, please feel free to email me at... View More
He was an inventor and patented at least 2 machines that I no of. How can I did out about patents payments inherited residual or my rights???
answered on Aug 21, 2019
If you are the Court appointed Personal Representative of his estate, then you have authority to
contact the Patent Office or you can engage counsel or a search service. Also, you will be able to
review his tax returns, and financial and all other records.
answered on Apr 24, 2019
Yes. Stop wasting time asking silly questions here on Justia.
Meantime, study hard, make really good grades, get an undergraduate degree that will be there to fall back on if you flame out, apply to as many law schools as you can afford to, if several schools accept you, select the one... View More
For example you have a page that posts quotes and sells merchandise. Would a trademark protect quotes and merchandise with the brand name on it from being stolen?
answered on Mar 29, 2019
Trademarks protect the indicia of the source of goods. So, yes.
Should I patent it as intellectual property? or copyright?
Should I go to lawyer or I can do it by myself online?
Thank you
answered on Apr 4, 2018
Patents are not the answer as the patent part of the PTO does not care about the text; they care about the function or the ornamental design.
You can chase a trademark (need to specify trademark to get this to a TM lawyer on JUSTIA).
Not a perfect fit as a trademark is intended to... View More
the name Orca. A week ago a trademark for the words was granted to someone who has not been using those words before. Can my company protest the issuance of such a trademark (words) to that party?
answered on Mar 19, 2018
It depends on the context in which you use the word Orca and the context that the trademark applicant plans to use the word in. You may have grounds to cancel the trademark. An attorney would need to review all the facts to determine if you have a case.
I've trained as certified coach and I'm planning on teaching and certifying people in the same coaching in a different language. The person who certified me and I are creating a royalty, license agreement and I'd like to know what is the usual profit % or fee that is standard or... View More
answered on Mar 1, 2018
It depends!
What are you coaching?
From what language are you translating and to which language? That's an atypical piece of the puzzle.
What type of IP are you using?
How will you be reselling the IP?
The answers to those questions and more will... View More
I am not a registered nonprofit or charity, but I help fundraise for one. Example: billsfund.org
answered on Jan 23, 2018
It could be considered a material misrepresentation unless there is an agreement in place that protects, you, the charity and the donor.
I regularly attend a LARP in which we created a dice game that is based on Pirates Rollin' Bones (https://www.amazon.com/Pirates-Rollin-Bones-Dice-Game/dp/B004RL774A).
Our spin-off version has several significant differences (6 instead of 4 sided dice, different images, slightly... View More
answered on Aug 7, 2017
This is a difficult question to answer without studying the two games in detail because there are several aspects of a game that can be copyrighted. But, I can try to give a few pointers. Illustrations and the bone shaped pieces are protected by copyright. Basic game of chance concepts with dice... View More
I recently purchased many portable speakers from a vendor in China. The company produces many authentic speakers (iLepo), but they also wholesale "fake" JBL speakers on a international wholesale store.
The speakers look pretty similar, but they intentionally took off the logo on... View More
answered on Aug 2, 2017
if you use the stickers you are infringing on another company's trademark. The speakers may also violate someone's patent but you can assume not for the moment. if you want to sell them then use the name of mfg or create your own brand.
For instance, old gas station signs, Western Union telegraph signs, food advertising signs, etc.
answered on Jan 18, 2017
You have to first determine if there are Intellectual Property rights related to such signs and ads. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions,... View More
I'm curious if all the humorous political paraphernalia that includes an actual photo of a person is legal or not. (For example: Trump or Obama toilet paper)
answered on Jan 7, 2017
Copyright in images typically does not apply to parodies, and it is unlikely you can libel a famous person (a "public figure") with a political humor under the First Amendment and New York Times v. Sullivan unless your statement is presented as a fact and you have "actual... View More
I've heard of people having their jewelry on etsy removed due to having a semicolon in their design. It does refer to the project semicolon organization but is just the actual punctuation mark, not their logo or anything like that. Is it still not allowed?
answered on Dec 29, 2016
I see no basis for an IP assertion of rights re: simply a semicolon. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any... View More
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