Get free answers to your Intellectual Property legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Looking for examples of regulatory violations, recalls, class action, civil, or other cases related to software in vehicles. This could also include intellectual property cases associated with open source software. I'm keen to discover how much influence open source software has had, so far,... View More 
answered on Sep 21, 2017
Google Scholar is a great resource for finding case law and scholarly articles that may give you the insight you are seeking. Otherwise find a local library (or law library) and seek assistance with at reference desk. A reference librarian can point you in the right direction to come up with... View More
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'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
I was on the founding team of a startup and brought some code in that I developed before joining the startup. I made some customization's to the code while on the founding team but signed a contract which states we all sign over all project related IP
answered on Jul 14, 2015
The contract could be a problem. Best to have a local lawyer review and advise.
answered on Feb 26, 2014
it would be illegal if the owner of that domain uses it in connection with products/services similar to those in connection with which you registered your trademark; selling a domain with that name is not illegal per se
I started working on a website 3 weeks ago. Today I found an article online about one that has the same functionality and came out about a month ago. Am i within my rights to publish the website still?
answered on Feb 26, 2014
it is not a copyright infringement as long as you use your own original language/text to describe the functionality; it may, however, constitute a patent infringement if the functionality is patented by the owner of that website
answered on Feb 26, 2014
It would involve conducting a trademark clearance search to make sure your trademark is available for registration. Then you would need to prepare and file a trademark application at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I would recommend contacting an intellectual property attorney who... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2014
When you create a video tutorial, you will get a copyright protection immediately upon creation of the work; you can register it with a copyright office.
One thing that you should be careful about is using the Microsoft or Microsoft office trademarks when advertising your services or... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2014
You can federally register a trademark for your stage name in connection with services and/or products that you provide/offer. You can contact me for a free consultation with regard to trademarking your stage name.
answered on Jul 26, 2011
You can apply on-line, but I would recommend conducting a trademark search/risk assessment by looking for identical marks on USPTO or trademark.com sites, I would search for both federal and state registered marks, and also I would look for those marks that could potentially create a likelihood of... View More
Ago shows the item in question. However the company suing mine says its from last week. The owner was mad and threaten to fire myself and direct supervisor, however once i saw picture i knew it was older. i can prove this but i fear i will be clollateral damge, to fire me as a form of good faith.... View More
answered on Jul 26, 2011
I would recommend consulting with an employment attorney. At the very least, please explain your situation in more detail, because from your question it is not quite clear what the issue is.
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