Could it be a copyright violation to show a product photo without permission?
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answered on Mar 25, 2020
Use of another's photograph without permission is likely infringement. There are defenses to infringement, bit they are just that, defenses. That means there is still the ability to be sued for infringement and you have to hope that your defense prevails. It also depends on how you're... View More 
We are doing a marching band halftime show in 2020 that is heavily based in satire. I'd like to use the title "Bands Against Humanity" as it perfectly describes the "satire" and humor elements of our theme. I reached out to the game manufacturer for Cards Against Humanity... View More
answered on Mar 16, 2020
Yes, if they have a registered trademark, then it would include slight variations on it. Trademarks are typically limited to specific goods and services as they are listed within the application. However, by hosting this type of event, CAH could make a claim that you are diluting their brand name... View More
So it's very immature, it's about one friend banging another friends mom. It's 52,000 words right now and I intend to make it longer. If my friends mom, who is very uptight, gets a hold of it, could I be sued? What if I don't sell it and just print some copies for me and my... View More
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answered on Feb 20, 2020
I'm not licensed in Pennsylvania but the likelihood of being sued it would depend on a number of things. First, it would depend on what Pennsylvania's laws are for defamation and right of publicity. If you publish a false statement of fact about a person to another person you could be... View More
can i use a comic book character for commercial use if i edit them heavily and make them my own character with cutting and other such edits. Most comic book characters are public domain.
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answered on Feb 18, 2020
Characters may be protected by copyright or trademark. Oftentimes, trademark protection can outlast copyright protection and vice versa because they are dependent on different things. I would suggest enlisting the assistance of an IP attorney to make sure you’re not setting yourself up for an... View More
The photo is heavily altered, does not use his name or the original book title, and only uses the cover art
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answered on Feb 16, 2020
Usually the copyright page of the book will tell you who to contact for permissions. You may want to start with the publishing company as they usually get all permissions in the publishing agreement. If they don’t have the rights, they should be able to direct you to the right person.
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answered on Feb 5, 2020
The Philly LOVE statute has been the source of contentious litigation numerous times. Even though the artist died in recent years, there are others who claim to own the copyright in the sculpture. There is also a claimed trademark registration for various goods for the LOVE sculpture. Artists... View More
answered on Apr 19, 2019
You need to find out if someone else is using it. The Navy PX is called NEX and would have at least a service mark if not a trademark. There would be a problem if a Court found there was confusion. So I think unless you get their permission that isn't likely but I would suggest you contact a... View More
I've been asked to take down a product on my art shop that is listed as "The Boston Marathon" apparently that text or logo is trademarked by the baa. I do not use any of their logos or trademarks on my product, just describe the product as the Boston Marathon. Am I still infringing... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2019
You can't use that phrase as it is owned by someone else. There's no way to get around it other than asking for permission to use it and being approved.
Many vendors in Pittsburgh sell merchandise with this logo. My listing was removed by Etsy after notice of intellectual property infringement from NFL Properties, LLC. This logo can be looked up on Google as "Pittsburgh Combined Team Logo". The only portion of the Pittsburgh Steelers logo... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2019
Nope. Most leagues have enforcement teams and will depend on how strongly they enforce their rights.
You want logos or brands that are as far away from those registered products as possible.
NFL owns the names, logos, art of all teams, so you run into problems the closer you get to... View More
The park was part of a larger failed chain across the US that went under around the same time.
answered on Feb 4, 2019
I don't see why not--assuming the images aren't copyrighted. If they were the copyright may have expired.
answered on Oct 28, 2018
Read the fine print. If you get attribution, that's the major point. You can always redo another version your way.
I have been a huge fan of ww1 and ww2 engineering and designs. I love to use military items to create totally new designs that celebrate a famous ship or a plane for example. I also create fictional stories within the ww1/2 era by using famous planes and cars in scenes (like artist James Dietz does... View More
answered on Jun 20, 2018
As long as you aren't lifting the entire image and photo reproducing it no. You may paint a subject already painted--many art students do this. I'm not seeing the concern. If you are painting an aircraft shown in a photo it's not a copyright violation. I believe you may be over... View More
This is a high school website, and the pictures are from a class project I ran. I do not want that information displayed since I don't work there anymore. Thank you.
answered on May 29, 2018
It depends on who owns the copyright to the pictute, you or your former employer. Here is a resource from the copyright office that explains works made for hire: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf
The name we choose is I.U.W.T but the only problem that I see is that someone else has the name but without the punctuation marks. Can we still use the name?
answered on May 22, 2018
It depends on several factors, such as the goods and services associated with the other mark, what is claimed in the application, how long the mark has been in use, among others. An attorney would need to review all the facts to answer this question.
I am creating a presentation to do at a conference to teachers. It deals with self esteem and the music is from the Greatest Showman. There will be some students dancing to some portions of the music from the show. I will also be doing a traditional lecture on self esteem between parts of the... View More
answered on May 4, 2018
If it's no charge then I believe if it's a limited use and no recording then you may use the music; if you are really concerned call the library of Congress copywright office.
This is for a history course we are publishing. As part of the course, schools will purchase a number of trade books. The classroom PowerPoint will include images from those books. The schools will own a print copy of any such books already; do we need to pursue permissions for placing the images... View More
answered on May 2, 2018
Yes, you need to obtain permission from the copyright owner. Purchasing a book does not provide the right to reproduce images in the book.
I was answering someone's question and to make my point used a quote from Billy Graham that is posted on the Billy Graham public website. I copied and pasted what he said, put it between quotes and credited him before and after the quote. It wasn't until I posted it that it occurred to me... View More
answered on Apr 23, 2018
In the vast majority of cases, using a short quote from another person's work is not copyright infringement.
The product is a dumbbell fitness bracelet that has the words "Live","Lift" on the bracelet. The notice is coming a company that sell similar bracelets that h that has the words "Fit", "Life" on it. The bracelets are very similar but clearly different based... View More
answered on Feb 13, 2018
An attorney would need to review the two products to answer this question. From what you have described, it seems unlikely that your bracelet would infringe a copyright for the other bracelet. While jewelry is protected by copyright, the rights are not so broad as to cover entire design concepts.... View More
The video can be seen here: https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/thegrind
answered on Jan 31, 2018
Doubtful. Go online and read the section of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 which defines what is a fair use.
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