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Wisconsin Intellectual Property Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Wisconsin on
Q: If I were to use the words snoop dogg on a tshirt in reference to a plain dog theme, is that a violation of a IP?

can i send the example of the t shirt for reference? dog theme is purely general, no negative/positive undertones,

Tania Maria Williams
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Tania Maria Williams pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 23, 2020

The issue here may not be one of trademark but rather the right of publicity. Snoop is a celebrity whose name, image and likeness have monetary value. If someone else uses that for monetary gain they could be liable. Feel free to email me at tania.williams@williamsfirmpa.com for a consult so... View More

Q: What are the first steps in protecting a concept for/of a new business? Does it involve patents or copyright?
Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Jan 23, 2019

Might not be a patent. The Supreme Court has recently made it fairly difficult to patent a method of organizing human activity. See the documents used to train patent examiners -- https://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/examination-policy/subject-matter-eligibility On the other hand,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Intellectual Property for Wisconsin on
Q: I purchased a lecture on a CD set and made a transcript. Is this legal? May I gift CD sets and transcripts I've made?

I use the CD set and transcript as part of my psychological therapy. I would like to purchase additional CD sets for my therapists and also give them a copy of the transcript that I made. Is this legal?

May I purchase CD sets and present them along with a copy of the transcript to... View More

Griffin Klema
Griffin Klema
answered on Nov 30, 2018

Preparing the transcript might be considered fair use or a derivative work. So long as you purchase as many copies as you are giving to others and using within your practice, the likelihood of a possible copyright infringement claim falls significantly. But without further information about... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Wisconsin on
Q: When can the "name" of a character be protected under copyright law, even though it typically wouldn't?

Copyright itself doesn't protect only just a name, you can't copyright just a name at all. But, "characters" should be protected under a copyright if they are unique, but isn't a name an intrinsic part of a character and its accompanying story?

Bryan Thomas Kroes
Bryan Thomas Kroes
answered on Aug 9, 2018

A full answer to your question will require a more fact-intensive analysis. Generally, copyright law will afford protection of the fictional character itself when it has appeared in a copyrightable work and has a life of its own within that work, however, achieving a level of distinctiveness such... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Trademark for Wisconsin on
Q: How would I go about trade marking Build A Blunt?
Benton R Patterson III
Benton R Patterson III
answered on Jul 20, 2018

You should speak with a trademark attorney in a confidential conversation. It may be possible. An attorney would need to know more about your business.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for Wisconsin on
Q: Copyright Use

Hello I am currently developing a college football website, and I created a logo that I am wondering if it would be OK to use. The logo uses the Big Ten conference font and says "B1G" like the Big Ten logo, but it is stretched out and there is a football filled inside of the letters... View More

Andrew Zulieve
Andrew Zulieve
answered on May 7, 2018

You probably should discuss this with an experienced intellectual property attorney. The issue may implicate issues of both copyright and trademark law. Your proposed logo may infringe the trademark rights of the Big Ten Conference if your logo creates consumer confusion as to the source of your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Wisconsin on
Q: For how long does an inventor(s) maintain the right to control the dissemination and usage of their patented content?

Is there a federal maximum number of years which is applicable to all patent applications? How would this length of time be negotiated? Can the length of time be adjusted later on, in a re-application of some sort? Does average length of time tend to vary by state, by industry, number of... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
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Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Feb 19, 2018

Patent term is more confusing than it should be. The one part that is simple, is that patent term is not a function of the technology. There is not a way for the applicant to apply to extend the patent term (unlike trademarks or copyrights). (but as noted below, there are things that can shorten... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Intellectual Property for Wisconsin on
Q: Third World Media settlements?

Does anyone have information about settlement status with Third World Media LLC plaintiff for copyright violation issues?

Paul Overhauser
Paul Overhauser
answered on Dec 2, 2010

Third World has filed 5 cases. The first two are concluded, and the last three are still pending:

1 Third World Media, LLC (cd) cacdce 2:2009-cv-01603 820 03/06/2009 10/28/2009

2 Third World Media, LLC (pla) cacdce 2:2009-cv-01603 820 03/06/2009 10/28/2009

3 Third World Media,...
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