I started working on my brand Ghosted in July, I used Canva fonts and everything for the logo and worked long and hard and got samples and on 8/25 I ordered my first order of 360 units. I own the LLC Ghosted, have the trademark filed for Ghosted for apparel, and this morning I also filed a... View More 
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 11, 2023
Given your description, it appears you have taken significant steps to legally protect your brand, including forming an LLC and filing for trademark protections for both your brand name and logo. In trademark law, the key issue often revolves around who used the mark first in commerce; since you... View More
If I am using a font that has been recreated by someone (but it looks *almost* identical) and I decide to create a formal 501c3 nonprofit public charity named "Rain'bow" (as an example) and create a logo using that name with that similar StarTrek font, would that be risky regarding... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 4, 2023
Even if you don't use the words "Star" or "Trek," using a font that is closely associated with or identical to the one used in the Star Trek franchise could pose a risk of copyright or trademark infringement. The key issues would be whether the use of the font creates a... View More
I'm wanting to create a LEGO video game and I emailed them but they said to look at their Fair Play policies and I read it but it isn't clear on video games and they said if i was unsure to ask a lawyer or someone who knows the law.
answered on Aug 8, 2023
LEGO makes locking bricks, which are rather obviously not video games. Other companies make locking bricks, so it's fine to use imagery of locking bricks for your video game. If you want to specifically use the LEGO name or identifiers in your video game and sell it, you are effectively using... View More
I'm wanting to create a LEGO video game and I emailed them but they said to look at their Fair Play policies and I read it but it isn't clear on video games and they said if i was unsure to ask a lawyer or someone who knows the law.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 15, 2023
Creating a LEGO video game involves potential copyright and intellectual property concerns. It's advisable to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in copyright and intellectual property law to assess whether your game would potentially infringe on LEGO's rights and whether you... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 6, 2023
To seek permission to use a trademarked phrase, you should try to identify the owner of the trademark and contact them directly. You can search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database or other relevant sources to find the trademark owner's contact information. If you are... View More
If I wanted to name my brand 'Distinct Routes' but 'Distinct' is an already registered and live trademark and 'Routes' is also a live trademark, would I have any issues naming my brand 'Distinct Routes' and submitting for trademark registration? All the... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 28, 2023
If 'Distinct' and 'Routes' are both already registered and live trademarks in the same class, using 'Distinct Routes' for your brand may potentially infringe on the rights of the existing trademark owners. While the absence of identical matches in your search may be... View More
I have developed a brand logo based on an original piece of art. I have essentially animated elements of the piece to create a brand logo. I have tried to find the artist contact information to reach out directly but have hit dead ends.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 28, 2023
Yes, original art is protected by copyright as soon as it is created. If you have developed a brand logo based on an original piece of art, you may be infringing on the artist's copyright if you do not have permission to use or modify the original artwork. To avoid potential legal issues, it... View More
Trademark factory said I would be able to because the name is generic but if flowtoys was trademarked I don’t see why I would be able too.
answered on Jul 2, 2023
FLOWPROPS is arguably not "confusingly similar" thus probably registrable. If the description of the use of the goods is sufficiently distinct from that of FLOWTOYS, then it would be more likely to be registrable; for instance, if FLOWPROPS were used for instruction rather than... View More
Or make the + a T
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 18, 2023
No, making a minor alteration to the Red Cross symbol, such as adding a break in the plus sign or changing it to a T, would still likely be considered a violation of the Geneva Conventions and the federal law that protects the Red Cross symbol.
The Red Cross symbol is protected by... View More
I used an online company to submit filing for trademark of my Hercules Dock Bumpers name. Serial Number 97643107. I've paid the initial USPTO filing fee and have been waiting months for it to be assigned. I just got notice that the application was accepted and will be assigned to an... View More
answered on May 25, 2023
Your application SN 97643107 for federal registration of the mark HERCULES DOCK BUMPERS was filed 10/21/2022 by attorney Sandy Lipkin and is awaiting assignment to an examining attorney, which currently takes 8.5 months. If the registration is granted, it will be effective throughout the US and all... View More
I used an online company to submit filing for trademark of my Hercules Dock Bumpers name. Serial Number 97643107. I've paid the initial USPTO filing fee and have been waiting months for it to be assigned. I just got notice that the application was accepted and will be assigned to an... View More
answered on May 26, 2023
There is no requirement to do an attestations in any state and it is not part of the USPTO process. The mark once filed with the USPTO will be assigned an examining attorney. Generally, at this time it takes about 8-12 months for an attorney to actually review the application. If your attorney is... View More
The difference in trademark, copyright, or patent and what I need for my project
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 18, 2023
Hi there!
Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are all types of intellectual property protection, but they protect different types of creations. Here is a brief overview of each type of protection:
1. Trademarks: A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and... View More
The difference in trademark, copyright, or patent and what I need for my project
answered on May 19, 2023
This is a very common question as these topics are not taught in school. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has a web page that addresses this issue. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/trademark-patent-copyright
I hope that this helps. Note--just as you may have a dead... View More
The difference in trademark, copyright, or patent and what I need for my project
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2023
Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are different forms of intellectual property protection, each serving a distinct purpose. Here's a brief explanation:
Trademark: A trademark protects logos, brand names, slogans, or other indicators that distinguish goods or services in the... View More
I received a cease and desist letter from a law firm claiming that my business name is confusingly similar to their client's business name. They claim that it is in violation of trademark rights and that their client has incontestability over the usage of the name.
My question is that... View More
answered on May 16, 2023
In order to successfully pursue a claim for trademark infringement, it is not necessary that the infringing mark be identical; it is sufficient that the marks are so similar and the goods or services for which they are used are so related that it is likely to confuse or deceive the average consumer.
I received a cease and desist letter from a law firm claiming that my business name is confusingly similar to their client's business name. They claim that it is in violation of trademark rights and that their client has incontestability over the usage of the name.
My question is that... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 22, 2023
Trademark infringement is based on the likelihood of confusion between two marks, rather than the exact match. Even if the names are not identical, if they are sufficiently similar and used in the same or related industry, it could still be considered trademark infringement. It would be advisable... View More
I received a cease and desist letter from a law firm claiming that my business name is confusingly similar to their client's business name. They claim that it is in violation of trademark rights and that their client has incontestability over the usage of the name.
My question is that... View More
answered on May 16, 2023
Trademark protection often extends beyond exact trademark matches. For example, when the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) reviews trademark applications for a likelihood of confusion, what they generally look for is what is referred to as an overall commercial impression. This... View More
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on May 7, 2023
No, you cannot get in trouble for cosplaying as a fairy similar to Melanie Martinez's new look at her concert. Cosplay is generally considered a form of fan art and is protected under fair use laws. However, if you were to sell or profit from the cosplay, you may run into legal issues as you... View More
I am starting a t-shirt business in Texas and I want to use the tagline Worn and Raised and also put it on shirts to sell. I see it is trademarked twice for business names, can I use it legally or do i have to change its lightly to maybe Worn N Raised?
answered on Apr 8, 2023
You should avoid using someone else's trademark in a way that is confusingly similar. The US Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") maintains a website with a lot of general trademark information and offers a webinar on trademark basics. Also, a knowledgeable trademark attorney can... View More
Products bearing my trademark have been maliciously tampered with by a competitor using a high-level Amazon Vendor Central (VC) account,and there are many victims of this type of attack.
The group using this account to launch attacks is mostly from China, and as far as I know, these... View More
answered on Mar 16, 2023
It sounds like you could win if you can clearly identify the perpetrators in China, serve them with process, and acquire jurisdiction over them. You should do your research first to make sure the perpetrators have assets in the United States you can seize to collect any favorable judgment. While... 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.
