Get free answers to your Copyright legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I want to use the initials GTFO.
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answered on Nov 9, 2020
Go to USPTO search trademarks. See if anyone us using this in your classification. Also do a common law search (especially in the state you are planning to do business), and others. A lot of similar marks are allowed to co-exist, but do a little leg work and see what you find. Good legal. This... View More 
I have a business called Crossnik Media. We are getting ready to run an introductory ad with the goal of getting some brand recognition for our new local business in Midland, MI. At the end, we say "Welcome to Crossnik Media", because throughout the ad, we're explaining our... View More
answered on Oct 19, 2020
In order to give definitive advice to you I would want to know all of the facts, including your proposed use, but I can say for certain that the bank does not have exclusive rights to that the word "welcome". I don't see any possibility of confusion if you are using "welcome... View More
Hi, student from Michigan. I'm considering starting a nonprofit project where we rewrite published free, publicly accessible scientific articles in simple language and re-publish them on the Web through our own website (freely available of course). I was wondering whether this counts as fair... View More
answered on Aug 5, 2020
I would say no. Best to get permission from the authors before doing this. They might appreciate your efforts.
The name of my business is GOAT Nails and I am wanting to make sure it is ok for me to use the acronym G.O.A.T.throughout my website.
answered on Aug 5, 2020
Interesting question - I would have thought that G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) would be too generic to trademark, but I see that some people have successfully done it. You should check the TESS database (tess2.uspto.gov) to search for all of the US registered trademarks with the word GOAT in... View More
I am creating a continuing education program and certification for strength and conditioning coaches and rehabilitation professionals on training and rehab of the throwing athlete. I would like to show video analysis of voiceover style videos featuring professional pitchers to demonstrate proper... View More
answered on Jun 19, 2020
You should get permission from the copyright holder of the video - could be the videographer or their employer, or ESPN... In my opinion what you are describing would not pass a fair use test. You might also need permission from the athlete in the video, depending on state law.
Like I want to develop this app which is like the Pokemon Dex but for anime characters and I can't draw and even if I could, it would be technically using the art from the anime character creator. I want to monetize it so I am able to upgrade the backend as the character's info is with... View More
answered on Jun 15, 2020
Unless you really have a license, you would be lying by crediting them in the license section.
No. See who owns the art and try to get a license.
You can also hire somebody for original art.
Best luck
I currently create a hair product for a celebrity that I created and cook in my kitchen. I package it and send it and she applies her label to it. Can I patent the formula just in case she wants to buy it, how do I know how to price the formula? She has ingredients, not the specific formula... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2020
Yes, you could get a patent on a formulation of a hair product. As a matter of fact, I have written several of them for clients.
But I have to warn you: it is not easy. It is not easy to get a patent on a new mixture of known ingredients, as you seem to be doing. Firstly, it is likely... View More
There can also be other variantions of it made and i want that too all different sizes and shapes but it the same product
answered on May 5, 2020
Congratulations on your new venture. I hope that it will be profitable for you.
And also congratulations about worrying about patents now, before you start the production and sales. Too many people ignore patents, spend lots of money on designs, tooling up, and manufacturing their... View More
Now this man is threatening to take me to court for a false takedown under Fair Use terms. Can he do this?
answered on May 1, 2020
In doing so, he will have the burden of proof that what he was doing comes within the criteria of fair use. The annoying thing is that whoever the ISP, they just dumped the ball into your court. You may want to explore with an attorney familiar with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and its... View More
I would like to use other pictures, but the ones I'd need to use are over 40 years old and it has been increasingly difficult to find the people who took them to even ask for permission. Is there any way that I can photograph the replica NFL jersey without getting into trouble? If not, how... View More
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answered on Apr 6, 2020
You have a couple issues here because the copyright in the photograph likely still exists and any use without permission would constitute infringement. It can be difficult to figure out who to get permission from if there is no identifying information for the photo. However, you may also have a... View More
We have two services, the videos would be shown in service with a VoiceOver and the main clips would be from the movie "Passion of the Christ".
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answered on Feb 27, 2020
17 USC 110(3) exempts from infringement the display of a work during "the course of services at a place of worship or other religious assembly." My church, and many others, usually sells recordings of that day's message. However, I would caution against that because the sale of the... View More
Example, I read a woodworking book or watch an online class on how to make a type of drawer, and then create an online class using what I learned, without using any of the original material, did I infringe the copyright?
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answered on Feb 4, 2020
Copyright does not protect ideas, methods and processes. It protects the expression of those ideas, methods and processes. Whether or not you are infringing the person's copyright depends on your use of their work in your own creation.
answered on Nov 18, 2019
If by "grinch" you are referring to the Doctor Suess character, then you can expect IP issues. You would likely need permission and pay a licensing fee to use the image on shirts for sale.
I was hired by a publisher to write a non-fiction book on a very popular television show where I discuss the history of the show, the themes, the characters and provide my opinion on each of the series episodes. Publisher states because I'm providing an opinion there is absolutely no copyright... View More
answered on Sep 18, 2019
Your concerns are valid. You should consider seriously getting permission. Make sure the hiring party give you a contract where they take full responsibility or liability. Consult with an attorney before doing anything.
their wording is registered and my words are arranged differently and missing a word the registered TM has. I also have a distant design for mine and its in use and printed on many things. How will I go about TM my design? Is it possible?
answered on Apr 29, 2019
The question is whether there is a likelihood of confusion. If the designs would cause confusion to a consumer on the source of the product, then it can't be registered as a trademark.
If you are interested in registering your trademark, you may schedule a free intro call with me at... View More
Krimminall23@gmail.com is my email address
answered on Apr 24, 2019
You'll need to file a new registration application with the USPTO. If you need assistance, feel free to email me at: Jason@altviewlawgroup.com
How does Tangle Inc still have the patent for the tangle toy? I remember grew up having it as a toy in my childhood. Now I'm 30 years old.
I'm doing patent law research and came across the US patent 7601045 from Tangle Inc. It seems this patent only apply to the textured toys, not... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2018
This type of a question is fairly common. How can there be a patent on something that has already been in existence many years before the patent was ever filed?
The answer almost always is that the patent claims a product that is somehow improved over the old product. There is something... View More
What are my options?
answered on Jun 7, 2018
Not necessarily. An abandoned could be revived, and could already or still be in use in commerce so is not necessarily available for use https://www.uspto.gov/trademark/laws-regulations/overview-final-rule-revivals-reinstatements-and-petitions-director
answered on May 2, 2018
It depends on the context you plan to use the phrase in, what is claimed in the trademark application, and how the other party is using the phrase. An attorney would need to review all the facts to answer this question.
They asked that i remove the photo, which I did, and are also asking that I pay them $6750.00 for the last six months that the photo was used. This photo was taken off of Google search and had I been asked by the copyright owner to take it down sooner, it would have been done immediately. This is a... View More
answered on Feb 9, 2018
How you should respond depends on a lot of factors not available in your question. It's a strategic decision best left to an attorney with experience in copyright infringement actions.
Attorneys on this ask-a-lawyer board are going to be unwilling to answer your question, partly... View More
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