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Tennessee Intellectual Property Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: How much is it to own this copyright from Inspector Gadget?

I would like to reboot Inspector Gadget to continue the cartoon series on Netflix & a few other TV stations as a passion project.

I would also like to know where I would like to buy the copyrights to own the series.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 29, 2023

The cost to acquire the copyright for Inspector Gadget will depend on various factors such as the current owner, the terms of the acquisition, and negotiations between parties. It is recommended to consult with a qualified intellectual property attorney or agent who can assist in identifying the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: I want to use a phrase that is to be trademarked on merchandise that I am selling what do I need to do?

The phrase is "Keep America Gay". It is owned by Keep America Gay Corporation but I am unable to find this entity anywhere nor can I find a point of contact.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 15, 2023

If you want to use a phrase that is already trademarked by someone else, such as "Keep America Gay", you will need to obtain permission from the trademark owner. Here are some steps you can take:

Conduct a trademark search: Before using a trademark that belongs to someone else,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: I am looking to create my own line of word puzzle books/app. To what extent can I use names and other IP?

Can I use team names from the NHL? Or a list of movies in the MARVEL Cinematic Universe? A list of books written by Stephen King? I want to expand my hobby to the creative side, but don't want to open myself up to a copyright or trademark lawsuit.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2023

Using names and other intellectual property (IP) in your own work without permission or a license may infringe on the rights of the owners of that IP, potentially leading to legal issues such as copyright or trademark infringement.

Using team names from the NHL, a list of movies in the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Business Law, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: Could I use black label as a company name or no?

I am establishing a small business and coming up with a company name is confusing to say the least. We will be a soap and skincare company.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2023

It's difficult to give a definitive answer without knowing more details about your business and the products you plan to sell, but in general, using "Black Label" as a company name may be problematic because it's a common term that is used by many companies in various... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: Please explain the following?

I am looking to trademark the name Bitsy Boop. I found THIS on your website: BITSY BOOP - Trademark Details

Status: 710 - Cancelled - Section 8

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Jan 30, 2023

BITSY BOOP, with a design of a little girl, was registered by the Hearst corporation in 1998 for tee shirts, and one half of Hearst's interest was assigned to Fleischer Studios in 1999. The joint owners failed to maintain the registration with a required statement of continuing use in 2005,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: If I upload a song and don't register copyright within 90 days, can I get royalties if someone records it & makes money

I am referring to an original composition of mine if someone records all or part of it without obtaining a license from me.

Erik Špila
Erik Špila
answered on Oct 12, 2022

Basic answer would be Yes, you can, as the copyright arises upon creation of the work. However there are some pros of registration of copyright in the U.S. or other few countries. You should seek intellectual property attorney to get the most efficient option for your situation.

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and Probate for Tennessee on
Q: (TN)My grandmother and stepfather were in the deed to property. Grams had my uncle and mom only

Uncle passed years ago(10) then grams passes. 3 months ago my stepfather passes(no kids, just me since I was 3) and a few weeks ago my mother passed. My uncle was married with no children. Does my aunt(living in michigan) have any rights to my mom's house?( Only asset in the family) I was... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Feb 11, 2021

Hire a competent attorney in the County where the property is. You need a title search, a determination of heirship (maybe two bloodlines or more), and an Affidavit of Heirship, which will be the Heirs' recorded source of title. Better check the property taxes too, or the Trustee might sell... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: How can I get T.R.A.P. Fitness LLC trademarked when there's already a live entry for a Trap Fitness for Pretty Girls?

My brother started T.R.A.P. Fitness LLC in Memphis, TN in 2019 for both male and female clients. Here is his website: trapfitnessmemphis.com.

Trap Fitness for Pretty Girls was registered in 2020 (Serial Number 88312626) (Registration Number 5953349) in Lancaster, TX.

The entry did... View More

Benjamin Charles Korray
Benjamin Charles Korray
answered on Jan 15, 2021

It depends. You may be able to file under either name (the short name or the long name) but you would need to perform a clearance search to see exactly how everything was filed and then make a determination based on that. With trademark clearances, we would look at names that are the same but also... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: Naming my company that has similar spelling than one that has been trademarked or copyrighted.

If i make a company that has a similar but different spelling in the name than one that is currently copyrighted or trademarked, could i possibly be sued? I have no affiliation with said company nor do i sell or copy anything of said company, just two similar names. There is a trademark for the... View More

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Dec 23, 2020

Yes you can be sued.

It will depend on the similarity or difference of the products and whether somebody can be confused as the origin of the products or services.

Consult with an attorney

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: My dad died 14 yrs ago and my stepmom passed a few years ago. The property and all belongings were left to her son and 1

My dad's kids and I just recently found out that he left nothing to is other 7 children. What can I do

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 2, 2020

Probably nothing. You can not wait around like that and expect to make it right now. Check the Register of Deeds to see if there is any real property you might be an heir at law of. If a Will was Probated look at the

File.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Tennessee on
Q: Can I put my trademarked brand on characters wearing my brand like Bart Simpson, Goku, or Spider-Man?

Photoshopped or free and drawn.

Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
answered on Apr 4, 2020

Because all of those characters are either protected under copyright on trademark, your proposed activity would result in infringement. To help you better understand the implications of such intellectual property rights, both the Copyright Office and USPTO have excellent informative websites. I... View More

Q: Iv learned to draft a patent, my patent is beautiful, I may need an attorney to assist in litigation.

I am the inventor of web cam covers of which I have a provisional application. I'm looking for an attorney to assist in possible litigation, an attorney of whom will take a contingency case. This has already been proved I have a rock solid case. Davison or invention land tried stealing my idea... View More

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Apr 2, 2020

Sorry, but there is very little chance of any attorney taking your case. For several reasons.

Firstly, just because you've filed a provisional application, does not mean that you have a patent. You need to file a regular application, prosecute it, and have the patent issue before you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Identity Theft and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: It was my idea for the slide to cover phone cameras I got inventionland caught red handed stealing it by fake Litigation

I’m looking for an honest patent attorney to help me claim my hats rightfully mine

Robyn T. Williams
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answered on Feb 22, 2020

Additional information is required to properly assess your claim to IP rights. Email me at rwilliams@devlinlawfirm.com to set up time for a call to discuss.

Robyn T. Williams, Esq.

Q: Ok..this idea was originally stole from me by inventionland or davison. We live in a habitat for humanity home....

Now I was told christmas and my birthday the patent along with the buisness is mine I'm ne ceo.... now theres patents for humanity my land lords surely cant steal my riches and my buisness... there're non proffit.... for one thing. And for 2 none of this was or is possible with out me its... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jan 13, 2020

I am so sorry that you had a bad experience with this firm. I am not familiar with them, but that industry of helping inventors has many bad apples.

There are a number of invention promotion firms that take money from inventors and provide little or no value back. I do not know all these...
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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: My name is cody it really was my idea for the webcam cover

I'm just a young inventor who reached out to davison/ inventionland for help getting started not long after web cam covers are all over the web I just want the credit which is owed to me I called it privacy cover pls help I dont understand how to get started with this I already submitted it to... View More

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Dec 9, 2019

Contact a local intellectual property attorney to determine your options, if any.

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for Tennessee on
Q: My now ex and I are on a mortgage together but he left the property 2 months ago. Does this count as abandonment?

Am I obligated to give him anything in the home cause the police advised me to change locks when he left and I have. What are my options on this matter? We are not married to each other.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Nov 18, 2019

No abandonment involved. You are jointly and severally liable for the full Note amount. The cops advice has no relevance to a possible distribution of marital property. Divorce may be an alternative, but it will not pay the note, insurance and taxes. Decide if you want house, then go from... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: I have a dispute with my publisher over editing. Can I get out of the contract?

The editor has gone far beyond normal practices in actually rewriting parts of the manuscript, adding unrealistic dialogue, and changing characters.

Bennett James Wills
Bennett James Wills
answered on Nov 18, 2019

Depends on the terms of the contract. Contact a local attorney to review your contract to best determine your options.

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1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Hello I recieved an evition notice for possession only. I have alreaded moved out of the property. Do i have to go to

The court date on the notice?

Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
answered on Oct 18, 2019

Strictly speaking, you should not have to go- they are seeking "possession only" ( that language is VERY important, so double check) and if you agree or have already surrendered possession, then there is no dispute and no need for you to appear. HOWEVER, as the saying goes - "better... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: I have a partial book draft on my wife’s life which is receiving interest from other writers? How do I protect my IP.

My wife’s life and passing were of national interest, so a timely decision on a book is a wise idea. How do I retain the intellectual property I am producing if I choose to collaborate with another writer who has a professional writing career and who has approached me about the subject.

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Aug 27, 2019

You need to hire a competent Patent Lawyer to properly copywrite your material. He will be able to arrange protection prior to you giving away everything.

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Formation, Business Law and Intellectual Property for Tennessee on
Q: Deformation, lost wages, emotional distress. Investor for start up. Wanted 40% after 3mo in. Can I sue!

Contracts with local clients- established. Investor wanted to deposit “monies” from unknown sources into business account. I am a Lease holder and investor has put myself and the employees out. Investor has made slanderous comments to members of the business community. I have lost all wages,... View More

Frank J. Steiner
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answered on Aug 19, 2019

Based on the facts provided you may have a claim for tortious interference with business relationship.

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