Get free answers to your Intellectual Property legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have some nonmonetary videos on YouTube and they're like slideshows of pictures of me. In some of them I'm at my boyfriend's parents old house. I took the pictures and they're just of me no one else but the background is inside one of the rooms of his parents old house. In the... View More 
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answered on Mar 30, 2024
Based on the information provided, it is unlikely that your ex-boyfriend or his parents would have a valid basis for a copyright claim on your videos. Here's why:
1. Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as photographs, videos, and other creative content. In this case,... View More
I am creating word search books for the American market and was wondering if it is ok to use the names of famous people, such as authors and actors, or the names of games, such as Monopoly in my word lists. They would be factual and not portray anyone/thing in an unfavourable light. The words would... View More
answered on Mar 29, 2024
When considering including the names of famous individuals or games in word search books for the American market, it's essential to navigate copyright and trademark laws cautiously. While individual names typically aren't protected by copyright, using them in a commercial context could... View More
I am creating word search books for the American market and was wondering if it is ok to use the names of famous people, such as authors and actors, or the names of games, such as Monopoly in my word lists. They would be factual and not portray anyone/thing in an unfavourable light. The words would... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2024
When incorporating the names of famous people or trademarks, such as board games, into your word search books intended for the American market, it is crucial to consider intellectual property laws. The use of famous names can be complex due to copyright, trademark, and rights of publicity.... View More
I am currently writing a book about a scholar who passed away three years ago. This individual was a professor at a state university and a well-known public figure worldwide. On the website of his foundation, there is a list of all the lectures he delivered across the globe. I requested access to... View More
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answered on Mar 22, 2024
In the realm of academic research and historical documentation, access to archives can indeed be crucial. However, the legal right to access such materials depends on a variety of factors, including copyright law, the intentions of the decedent, and any existing agreements or policies established... View More
How can this person legally claim to have invented Pickleball? Is there a money involved in this? It’s like if I, an American, claim to invent rice.
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answered on Mar 19, 2024
In general, for someone to claim a patent on a concept, the idea must be new, non-obvious, and useful. If a game has been widely played and known for a long time, it's unlikely that someone could successfully patent the game itself, as it would not meet the criteria for novelty. Patenting... View More
I am creating an app that helps people make smarter decisions when going out. We have a lot of venues on the app and reached out to many to see if we can use their content (from Instagram and their websites) but we have not received a response yet. We have read the privacy terms on various clubs... View More
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answered on Mar 8, 2024
The legality of using your own photos and videos of nightclubs for a commercial app depends on several factors. Here are some key considerations:
1. Copyright: If your photos/videos capture any copyrighted material such as artwork, logos, or distinctive architectural features, you would... View More
I am creating an app that helps people make smarter decisions when going out. We have a lot of venues on the app and reached out to many to see if we can use their content (from Instagram and their websites) but we have not received a response yet. We have read the privacy terms on various clubs... View More
answered on Mar 29, 2024
In developing an app aimed at helping users make informed decisions when going out, it's crucial to consider copyright laws when using content from venues, such as photos or videos from Instagram and websites. While reaching out to venues for permission is a commendable step, the absence of a... View More
answered on Mar 29, 2024
Using a trademarked name for your new tech company can be legally complex and potentially risky. Trademarks are protected intellectual property, and using a trademarked name without permission could lead to legal issues, including allegations of trademark infringement.
To determine if you... View More
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answered on Mar 3, 2024
Using a name that is already trademarked in one category for a new company in a different category, such as from entertainment/toys to tech, might be possible, but it depends on several factors. Trademarks are generally sector-specific, meaning that protection typically extends only to the same or... View More
i filed to trademark my name but it was abandonded to an open action? im not sure
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answered on Feb 26, 2024
If your trademark application was marked as abandoned due to an open action and you're looking to reopen your case, there are steps you can take to address the issue. Understanding why your application was abandoned is crucial. Typically, this happens if a response to an office action was not... View More
I have an idea for a new application of an existing product. Moreover, I found 2-3 existing patents that are similar concepts but different applications.
Would I be able to get any type of patent?
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answered on Feb 25, 2024
For a product to qualify for a utility patent, it must be novel, non-obvious, and useful. This means your idea must be significantly different from any existing products or patents, offer a new way of doing something, or provide a new technical solution to a problem. The presence of similar... View More
I have a product with 6 words. But it seems the first 2 words are trademarked. Can I still use this name or would I need to change it all?
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
If "word1 and word2" is already a trademark, it's crucial to proceed with caution. Even if you use "word3 word4 word5" along with it, there could still be potential legal issues, especially if the combination creates confusion with the existing trademark. Using part of a... View More
Me and my team are working on a video sharing app called Clipzy and we have been promoting it as a TikTok alternative, and we wanted to make sure there weren't any legal issues that can arise.
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answered on Feb 21, 2024
Using TikTok's name to promote your app as an alternative might raise legal concerns depending on how you use it. While mentioning TikTok for comparison purposes could be considered fair use, implying an association or endorsement from TikTok without permission could lead to trademark... View More
For example: a user get in to my app and tells me he wants to generate a picture like a listing on Airbnb (probably copyrighted), so he enters the url to the specific listing, I transfer the url to an ai engine that can describe pictures in details, I use ONLY the description that the engine gave... View More
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answered on Feb 4, 2024
Creating an AI-generated picture app based on descriptions from another AI engine that a user enters through a URL can potentially raise legal issues related to copyright and intellectual property. While the generated image may not be a direct copy of the original picture, it could still be... View More
Those clothing items do not include anything else that might be related to "spider-man". the clothing items only have the phrase "Spidey sense" and graffiti designs that are free to use on them.
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answered on Feb 1, 2024
Selling clothing items with the phrase "Spidey sense" on them may potentially raise legal issues related to trademark and copyright. "Spidey sense" is a term associated with the fictional character Spider-Man, a trademarked and copyrighted character owned by Marvel Comics, which... View More
If I used synths and the background Melodie’s and the same arrangement. The lyrics and singer is completely different.
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answered on Jan 9, 2024
If you incorporate aspects of another artist's work, such as synths, background melodies, and arrangement into your own song, there is a significant risk of copyright infringement. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including musical compositions, and using elements of... View More
Searching for the case # of the Dragnet controversy, over 4 notes (dum, da,dum,dum.) Can you help find that case? Thank you., on my own behalf. here is what I found https://library.syracuse.edu/blog/dragnet-a-musical-controversy/
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answered on Dec 30, 2023
The case involving the "Dragnet" musical controversy was a copyright dispute over a four-note motif originally composed by Miklós Rózsa for the film "The Killers" in 1946, which was later used in the "Dragnet" theme music by Walter Schumann. The case was eventually... View More
If a product is not marked that it has a patent nor does it say anywhere on the product page, website etc. can the patent owner still file for patent infringement?
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answered on Dec 30, 2023
In the United States, marking a product with its patent number is not a legal requirement, but it can be beneficial. If a product is marked with its patent number, it serves as a public notice of the patent, which can enhance your ability to claim damages in a patent infringement case. However, the... View More
If a product is not marked that it has a patent nor does it say anywhere on the product page, website etc. can the patent owner still file for patent infringement?
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answered on Dec 28, 2023
This is covered by Federal law 35 USC 287.
The law limits the patent holder's ability to recover for past patent infringement damages to the first point in time when the infringer was notified about the patent. By contrast, by marking the product, the infringer is legally assumed to... View More
If a product is not marked that it has a patent nor does it say anywhere on the product page, website etc. can the patent owner still file for patent infringement?
answered on Dec 28, 2023
Yes, the owner of the patent can still sue. There is a rule that if a product has a device patent and does not mark the product with the patent number or a web site with the patent numbers, then the owner forfeits damages up to the point that the notice is given (often the filing of the law suit).... View More
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