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New York Intellectual Property Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Can I patent my own brand name for a new style protective neck gaiter?
James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Mar 11, 2023

Yes, it is possible to obtain a patent for a new prototype for a protective neck gaiter. A patent is a legal right granted by the government to the inventor of a new and useful invention, which provides the inventor with the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention for a limited period... Read more »

3 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together.

A colleague (musician-turned-lawyer) and I have written a musical piece together. Can he himself represent the music legally and handle the copyright registration? He would also have to be the legal third-party regarding the publishing company. It seems to me this would all present a conflict of... Read more »

Giselle Ayala Mateus
Giselle Ayala Mateus
answered on Mar 10, 2023

If you and him are business partners, one may thing that their interests are aligned. However, it may not be the case for ever. It is a good practice to have independent counsel. Thereafter, you can make an informed decision as to who should be in charge of the legal aspects of the registration of... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: As an American with Caribbean heritage I seek help in getting paid from a Publishing company that is using my name for

My name for free and has refused to pay for the book and it content they are selling online as a collectible against my will and knowledge. I would like to file a suit against this company for millions of dollars since 2017 to this writing I have not been given a dime for my work, beside $100 for... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Mar 11, 2023

To seek legal action against the publishing company, you should consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in intellectual property law. The lawyer can review your contract with the publishing company and determine if there are any breaches of contract or infringement of your intellectual property... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: As an American with Caribbean heritage I seek help in getting paid from a Publishing company that is using my name for

My name for free and has refused to pay for the book and it content they are selling online as a collectible against my will and knowledge. I would like to file a suit against this company for millions of dollars since 2017 to this writing I have not been given a dime for my work, beside $100 for... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 8, 2023

This may be something that a copyright/intellectual property attorney would have insight into. You could repost and add Copyright and Intellectual Property as categories. Not all questions are picked up on this forum, but you might increase chances for a response by adding those headings. Good luck

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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property, Internet Law and Trademark for New York on
Q: I have a question regarding cybersquatting/domain name sales

Hi We have a bundle of domains that are similar to a large corporation/org although the domain names are not trademarked (but are similar/in the same "family" to those that are) They had inquired about purchasing them -they do not like the price and are now suggesting its cybersquatting... Read more »

Steve Charles Vondran
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Steve Charles Vondran PRO label
answered on Feb 6, 2023

The legality of selling domain names that are the trademarks of other companies is a complex issue and one that has been the subject of much legal debate. In order to understand the law on this matter, it is necessary to look at both trademark law and domain name law.

Trademark law...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for New York on
Q: What laws must I know to write a book or movie about a fictional version of a recentish event, mentioning real names?

The event in question took place a couple of decades ago. Some of the main people involved are dead and some are alive. It's a relatively well known/publicized event, though not everyone's involvement is super well known its all easily available in news articles. I want to know about... Read more »

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Feb 3, 2023

You potentially have to contend with the New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51, New York’s “Right of Privacy” law, which prohibit the use “for advertising purposes, or for the purposes of trade” of the name, portrait or picture of any living person without obtaining his or her prior... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for New York on
Q: In a YouTube video, can my nickname be Captain America or would it be copyrighted

Creating a YouTube channel in tourism for Latin Americans visiting USA. Would like to use the nickname Captain America

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 20, 2023

You will have to research whether the current owner of the Captain America trademark owns the rights in similar service or product classes to your proposed use to promote tourism. Whether you will be sued for infringement will then depend on whether your uses interfere with the rights owner in... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Copyright for New York on
Q: RE: Comedians Intellectual Property. Assume I produce YouTube videos as tributes to specific comedians and their content

Does the attribution to the original comedian overcome copyright? And, would the answer be different if the videos were free to the public versus being included in a fee based subscription?

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 20, 2023

No, attribution is not a defense to copyright infringement. Fair use might be a defense. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act provides for certain cases where permission from the rights holder is not required. Courts assess whether the "fair use" defense applies based on four factors:... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: What can I do if I have created a design, uploaded it online and it has been used uncredited, a copyright violation?

If I have uploaded a design on a file-sharing website under a Creative Commons non-commercial license, and somebody uses it uncredited for a commercial purpose. If the site refuses to take it down, what recourse do I have?

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 17, 2023

If your copyright is unregistered, you can only file a lawsuit where you will have to prove damages such as lost profits. The better move is to register your copyright with the USPTO. Then you will have access to statutory damages (only requiring proof of infringement) of anywhere between 750 and... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Intellectual Property and Copyright for New York on
Q: I work at a cookie company and it is not my job to create cookie inventions but I made one on a slow day and they stole

Selling my cookie I invented in stores without paying me. They also didn’t let me name it and are asking customers online to compete in naming the cookie and winner gets creator rights on the cookie. I was basically thrown to the side after I made them a delicious cookie they liked and they... Read more »

Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Jan 2, 2023

By itself, a recipe is not protected by copyright law because it is only a list of ingredients. See U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 33, Works Not Protected By Copyright.

However, a recipe embedded in detailed instructions on how to combine the ingredients, especially when written in your...
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2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Hi is there a way to continue with this trademark process?

I already started the trademark process but it was canceled 10 yrs ago.

I’ve since changed the logo but the name remains the same. Can I continue with what I started?

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Jan 1, 2023

If you had an application in progress to register the mark, and it was not completed, it cannot be revived.

Since you refer to both a "logo" and a "name", I infer that the mark had both a text component and a design component. It is possible to register just the text...
Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Do I need any business licence or resale licence to drop ship on Shopify or Amazon FBA?
Daniel Michael Luisi
Daniel Michael Luisi
answered on Dec 28, 2022

Some of the licenses and permissions you need include the following: (1) Certificate of Authority by New York State Department of Finance to collect sales tax: (2) Resale Certificate [if applicable] from Dept of Finance; (3) You must file quarterly Sales Tax Returns Form ST-100; (4) There are other... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for New York on
Q: I came up with a name Max Level Gear for a clothing/gaming accessory brand and I'm trying to verify I can use that name.

Can I create a brand that's named Max Level Gear or Max-Level Gear for a gaming clothing brand? I searched online and it seems someone is using Max Level Apparel for a gaming clothing brand. So is that infringing on them? We are selling similar things but my name is slightly different.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Oct 25, 2022

The slight difference in the marks is not significant, so either could claim infringement for use on similar goods, but the deciding factor in which one prevails over the other is which use was prior in time.

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2 Answers | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Should I oppose a trademark or file for the same class with detailed description? Their description does not infringe

I have a live trademark for class 025 but the website i've created also offers goods/services under class 035, 041, and 009. I noticed someone filed for class 041 but their description does not infringe on what I'm doing. However considering my website is a community with in person... Read more »

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Oct 24, 2022

Thats a highly complicated question (questions) and you should definitely seek intellectual property lawyer to duly analyze the details of your case. There is no right answer here as it depends on further variables that you will need to provide in order to get qualified advice.

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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for New York on
Q: Both Netflix and Google have violated my USPTO registered TM. Are you able and willing to fight these behemoths?

I have a good case against both Google and Netflix with much documentation and screenshot images. Netflix uses my name on their cartoon, Bojack Horseman, where they've placed it on the marquee of an abortion clinic slurring my registered USPTO TM. They call it "freedom of expression"... Read more »

Sergiy M Sivochek
Sergiy M Sivochek
answered on Sep 19, 2022

These types of questions are always very complex and fact-specific. And there are always many gray areas. Before any reasonable attorney can tell you whether they are willing to fight Google and Netflix on your behalf, there are MANY additional questions that will need to be asked and answered, and... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Real Estate Law for New York on
Q: Hello, My mother died in 1987 and owned two properties prior to death. One in Corning, NY and the other lake property

I have not seen the Will but according to court documents, the property was named the Mourhess Family Trust and my brother was named as the Trustee. Before my mother died (she was in ill health) she sold both properties to my brother for $1 total, without me knowing about it. After she died, my... Read more »

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Aug 23, 2022

From 1987? No there is nothing you can do.

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Question on if the company was woven together with other company working up business and between them in one type

My working company suddenly received a warning letter on 1 of the product infringement issue from other company . The product patent registered name was go under the other company that they work in partners together for 1 of the products promoting business between them . The patents right still... Read more »

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Aug 1, 2022

Your post is a bit confusing. Have a free telephone consultation with counsel.

Jack

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for New York on
Q: Is there any way I can write to the Judge without hiring an attorney ?

I am a non US citizen lives in India and A Patent infringement case has been filed against me and several other US & Non US based sellers for selling online. Is there any way I can write to the Court without hiring a Lawyer to avoid a default judgement as I can't afford an attorney.

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Jul 31, 2022

No, I am sorry, but there really is no way to do that. You'll need to hire an attorney to fight it.

In some countries, the judgment of a court in the US is not-enforceable. If you don't have any property to be seized in the US, and there is no way to collect it in India, it is...
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3 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for New York on
Q: Hello,What are all the legal Intellectual property suggestions to take so I can protect the name, logo, brand, etc.?

How do I create a lawsuit in the event of an infringement?

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jun 21, 2022

I do not see a patent issue here. Your list of legal topics did not include trademarks which is most likely the form of intellectual property that you should consider. For purposes of providing an introduction to vocabulary and not as a source of legal advice -- you could start with... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Education Law and Intellectual Property for New York on
Q: Is this free work? Is this legal?

A college class I'm taking requires groups to create and present an entire social media campaign to a nonprofit organization. Each group has a different theme. We've been working on this for three weeks because of the amount of work -- it's an entire social media activation. I have... Read more »

Michael David Siegel
Michael David Siegel
answered on Apr 29, 2022

If you receive college credit for the work, it is legal, like an internship.

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