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Michigan Copyright Questions & Answers
3 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Michigan on
Q: Can I patent a formula for a hair product I’m creating for a celebrity?

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

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
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...
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Q: I have a product i want to make my own and start production and sales and i wanna know all my options

There can also be other variantions of it made and i want that too all different sizes and shapes but it the same product

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: so, a man reposted my YouTube video, except it had laughing over it, I submitted a takedown and it was successfull

Now this man is threatening to take me to court for a false takedown under Fair Use terms. Can he do this?

Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
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

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: I've written a book and I would like to use a photograph of a replica jersey as the cover? Can I use it w/o permission?

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

Tania Maria Williams
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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

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: My church wants to use video clips from the movie Passion of the Christ in our Good Friday service. Is there a legal way

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".

Tania Maria Williams
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Michigan on
Q: If I read/watch a class about some technique and then teach a class on that technique, is that copyright infringement

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?

Tania Maria Williams
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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.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: Are you allowed to use Drink up Grinches on a shirt?
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: Can I get sued for writing a non-fiction book about a tv show without the show's permission?

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

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: Am I able to TM a logo design that may have similar wording to one that's registered as standard mark?

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?

Ahaji Kirk Amos
Ahaji Kirk Amos
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...
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3 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: How would I go about trademarking my stage name if it has been abandoned in 2011?

Krimminall23@gmail.com is my email address

Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
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

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Michigan on
Q: How does Tangle Inc still have the patent for the tangle toy? I remember grew up having it as a toy in my childhood.

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

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
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...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: Can I use an abandoned trademark name / Make money doing so without repercussions.

What are my options?

John Espinosa
John Espinosa
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

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: A 3 word phrase has been trademarked. Can I add dashes to legally use it for a program I am starting? Thanks!
Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
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.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: I have received a letter from a law firm indicating that a photograph I used on my personal website was copyrighted.

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

Will Blackton
Will Blackton
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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: I'm creating a Christmas play for our church. We are looking at using a copyrighted song in the play. Is this legal?

Used during worship service - no admission fee

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 23, 2017

You should contact the song's owner and ask. Often times, churches purchase or receive blanket permission covering an assortment of songs and so no extra permission would be needed. Even if that's not the case, many times copyright owners are happy to allow use for events like this;... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: I bought licensed scrapbook paper with college logos on it. I'm cutting out the logos to make keychains with.

I want to sell the keychains on the internet. Is this legal or do I need to obtain permission from the universities whose logos I'm using? I have done a little research on this and it really seems like a grey area. Some sites say you absolutely need permission - others state that once the... View More

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Sep 22, 2017

You need to obtain permission from the trademark owners. The first sale doctrine would likely protect you if you resold exactly what you purchased, the scrapbook paper. If you use the paper to create a new branded product, you would not be protected by the first sale doctrine. Also, using a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Copyright, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Michigan on
Q: Is what I'm being requested to do legal? And, do I currently have the legal right/rights qualifying me to proceed?

I was asked by someone to make a number of hard(CD)copies of music for them. This request requires me to "rip" the content(given to me in CD format) on a computer and then burn the music onto the requested number of CDs( also provided to me). The requester(the commissioner) has told me... View More

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Sep 18, 2017

You may be at risk of committing copyright infringement if the person commissioning the project does not have the appropriate rights. If the commissioner does own the copyright to the content on the CDs, he should be willing to cover any loss you may incur from copying the content (indemnify you).... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: I plan on using photo's purchased on ebay in a calendar for retail sale. Are there any copyright issues.
Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Sep 18, 2017

I am assuming you purchased a print of a photograph. If so, you cannot reproduce the photograph and sell it in a calendar. The owner of the copyright to the photograph has the right to reproduce the image. By you doing so, you would infringe on the copyright owners rights. If you want to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Michigan on
Q: Hello, to anyone that can help,what are the steps I need to take to trademark a comic book company I want to start?
Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Sep 6, 2017

The first step is to research the mark to determine if anyone else is using it or something similar. There are a variety of trademark search services that can perform a search for you. Once you know what other trademarks exist, you may want to change your mark or proceed with a trademark... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright for Michigan on
Q: I want to create a mobile app that uses data from a book. is this a infringement if my data is presented differently?

for instance, the page shows words and numbers, and my app will prompt for words and display those numbers.

is the data or the style copyrighted?

Thanks

Will Blackton
Will Blackton
answered on Aug 29, 2017

The short answer is: it depends.

Generally, facts cannot be copyrighted, however the display and organization of facts can be copyrighted. To answer whether the particular organization of information you're talking about contains the required level of creativity to receive copyright...
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