Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Iowa Trademark Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to use Marvel characters on a poster - and sell them?

Given the Marvel cinematic universe, I would create a comic book-style poster in both cinematic and chronological order. The posters would have the characters, quotes, and small details that can be seen in the movies - such as 'I am Iron Man', or the New Asgard town sign. The art style... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Aug 8, 2023

This product is likely to be found infringing of Marvel's copyrights as well as trademarks. The characters are all protected by copyright, and most of them are trademarks as well. Compiling several of them adds fuel to the fire and shows predatory intent which could subject you to punitive damages.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Entertainment / Sports, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Is it legal to use Marvel characters on a poster - and sell them?

Given the Marvel cinematic universe, I would create a comic book-style poster in both cinematic and chronological order. The posters would have the characters, quotes, and small details that can be seen in the movies - such as 'I am Iron Man', or the New Asgard town sign. The art style... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 15, 2023

Using Marvel characters on a poster and selling them without proper authorization could potentially infringe on Marvel's intellectual property rights, including their copyrights and trademarks. Even if the art style is different, using recognizable elements, quotes, and details from the Marvel... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Does the descriptor in a name trademark matter in regards to confusion or conflict? Within the same TM class.

I would like to use Boundless* Wealth (Boundless is not the actual word*) in class 36 financial, insurance, wealth mgmt. There is 1 other trademark for nearly the same services: Boundless* Financial Group, 5 states away from us, no exclusivity claim to Financial & Group. Is this a conflict?... View More

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Apr 22, 2022

For federal trademark registrations, the existence of a registration for a very similar mark used for similar services will result in a refusal from the USPTO, regardless of whether the prior registrant and the applicant are in different states.

As you note, the portion of the mark that is...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: A question regarding trademarks. I looked at Aveda and it says their registration is cancelled. Can you explain that?

Creating a logo and want to ensure I dont infringe on Aveda. The logo I have, my client wants one of the letters to have a connector line as a circle to create the full letter

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp
answered on Feb 17, 2022

There are over 20 live registrations for the text mark AVEDA, some with design elements. If you have found a registration that has been cancelled, that does not necessarily mean that the mark is no longer in use by its owner.

You should consult a qualified trademark attorney to perform a...
View More

2 Answers | Asked in Copyright and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: I am interested in using words, short phrases or sentences from lyrics or movie quotes to make signs, tshirts, etc

Is this legal for retail?

Marcos Garciaacosta
Marcos Garciaacosta
answered on Nov 13, 2021

Depends.

You need to consult with an attorney to understand your risks.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Is Red Dead Rocket trademarked

I started a YouTube channel and chose this as a name. Is it okay to use?

Linda Liang
Linda Liang
answered on Jul 24, 2021

You need to hire an attorney to conduct a thorough research to be sure.

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Products Liability and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: if I Pirate a song and later buy another digital copy of said song would the pirated version still get me in trouble?
Steve Charles Vondran
PREMIUM
Steve Charles Vondran pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 6, 2020

This is general legal information only and not legal advice. In general, once you pirate a movie, song, photograph, or other creative content, without a proper license, that becomes copyright infringement. You can be liable for that and copyright penalties can be stiff. Buying a licensed version... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: If a person has abandoned a Trademark because of no statement of use filed? Can someone use that Trademark?
Evelyn Suero
Evelyn Suero
answered on Aug 26, 2020

A status of abandonment does not necessarily mean that a trademark is available for use. The owner or some other person may still be using the trademark and have common law rights against infringement. However, it may also depend on whether the new trademark will be used in the same or a related... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Communications Law and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: I have an idea for how to reboot a show. How much of the original can I use in my rewrite?

I want to pitch it to the copywrite owner. I want to use character names, places, descriptions etc.

Barbara Berschler
Barbara Berschler
answered on May 18, 2020

You are going to need to have permission from the copyright owner to make your derivative work. You may want to work through an attorney who could act as intermediary between you and the copyright owner to pitch your concept. The attorney would be in a good position to figure out with you the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: How do i find out what classes to register my trademark under for a cosmetic company?
John Martin Hilla
John Martin Hilla
answered on Jul 29, 2019

Your best avenue to a successful Federal trademark registration is to, first, schedule a knowledgeable trademark registration attorney, and, second, to retain that attorney or another such attorney to draft your application for you, utilizing information you provide not only regarding your current... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Civil Litigation, Intellectual Property and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Who owner the ampersand mark? Please refer to all information in registered trademark 86905207, from the USPTO website.

I asked for the ownership of this mark from its creation. Please validate.

Ahaji Kirk Amos
Ahaji Kirk Amos
answered on Mar 21, 2019

I don't understand the question.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Iowa on
Q: If a trademark saying was active but has now been abandoned, can I step in and take over with a similar trademark?

Trademark taken by another person/company: Live by the seed of your plants

Our trademark: We live by the seeds of our plants

Andrew Zulieve
Andrew Zulieve
answered on Nov 3, 2018

If the trademark was registered with the U.S. Trademark Office, but the status of the registration is listed as abandoned, that does not necessarily mean that the trademark is no longer in use in commerce and abandoned within that context. It may still be in use in commerce and protected under... View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: Can I pick up an abandoned trademark?

The person that filed for the trademark of our team is no longer in charge of the team and I want to update it

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Apr 17, 2018

Trademark rights are acquired by using the mark. The fact that a trademark registration or application is abandoned does not mean that it is open for anyone to take. If the owner of the mark you are interested in no longer uses it, and you begin using it, you may be able to register the mark. An... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: If a slogan is trademarked by a maker of protein bars (their packaging), can that slogan be used for t-shirt design?

The term "own the day" is a trademarked by a maker of protein bars. Does that make the "own the day" slogan off limits for t-shirt designs/collections?

Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Nov 13, 2017

Possibly so. An attorney would need to review the two trademarks to give a confident answer. The design, the description of goods and services, the t-shirt design, and how you plan to to sell the t-shirt could impact whether or not the trademark may be registered.

1 Answer | Asked in Trademark for Iowa on
Q: If BUBBLEWRAP (Reg. Nr. 3442458) is an accepted trademark, what about the words Bubble Wrap or Bubble Wrapping?

My Etsy Listing was set to inactive by Etsy because of trademark infringement from Sealed Air Corporation. As far as I can understand (I have no idea about this stuff) the trademark is for BUBBLEWRAP (=one word). What would be an appropriate wording I can use??

Michael Gerity
Michael Gerity
answered on Aug 1, 2017

Hello. The difference between two words, or changing the verb tense, or other small changes makes no difference in the trademark context. The only relevant question is whether or not there is a reasonable likelihood of confusion in the relevant consumer. It's pretty safe to say that the... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.