Bruce E. Burdick’s Answers

No, not unless your image is derived from or substantially similar to another image, and likely not even then. However, this abstract image might be a trademark infringement depending on the building and whether your image is likely to confuse consumers as to source or affiliation or sponsorship, which seems to be at least and issue you should explore before doing this. You may also have copyright protection for your image and might benefit from registering that copyright at the Copyright...

Not even remotely likely. An attorney is not going to risk a career violating his ethical obligations by stealing your ideas. If he or she did that, who would thereafter trust them, and he or she would get disbarred both by the ARDC (Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Board) and the USPTO. Then the former attorney might work as a dishwasher. And, there are laws that absolutely prohibit it and would subject the attorney, soon to be disbarred, to paying damages. That is no more likely than...

Hire a business attorney to do this. It is a simple process done through the Illinois Sec. of State. There are a number of ways to do this to protect your student status for purposes of your student visa. One simple way is to get a fellow student (US citizen) to register the business and you own the shares as an investor. If the F-1 visa is a concern, an immigration attorney is what you need, as many of these have business law expertise.

I think the real estate board is your best initial play, as it shouldn't cost you anything. However, the board tends to cater to realtors so if they get bureaucratic with you just hour a real estate lawyer asa they should quickly cough up the escrow.

I think you mean "Can you put more than one book in a single application for copyright registration." Yes, provided they are related. For example, a trilogy could be registered in a single application in one online session for one copyright fee. There are good reasons NOT to do this, however, chiefly the lost cost of applications and the advantage of not having a problem with one book holding up issuance of a registration on all 3 books. Keep in mind the big cost in registration will be...

A court order has the force of law and if it violated the Judge has the power to force compliance or fine the offender and, if extreme, even have the Sheriff arrest and jail the offender. However, these orders are not self-enforcing, except for Orders of Protection that are enforced by law enforcement, so you have to report the violations to the Court and ask the Court to find the offender in contempt and take action. Be careful to only go before the Judge seeking contempt where the violation...

When you give the specific trademark you let us (and the world) know exactly who you are Ms. Franklin and that you are from Arab, AL not San Antonio, TX. You botched your do it yourself application as is clear from the official record. http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=75718836 The record shows you did NOT use an attorney. So you appear not to be honest with us. Your application was based on an intention to use, and you fouled up each step of the way, it seems,...

You should read the Toyota v Tabari case, which is quite like yours. The Tabaris won and went bankrupt in the process. Same could happen to you if Netflix comes after you. You might win the legal battle and lose your business. So, even though the truth may be it's nominative fair use, remember "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." - Harry S. Truman

You are confusing parody which is one of the case law exemptions from copyright infringement with parody of a trademark for commercial purposes, which is generally trademark infringement and which will quite often trigger a suit from the trademark owner you will be accused of defaming. You don't have a team of lawyers like SNL or Letterman, so be very careful. Selling these T-shirts is very risky. If you are hell bent on doing this, work closely with an intellectual property lawyer so you...

Your question is an oxy-moron. Selling a shirt that says "USC Trojans" is use of the trademarks, so the answer is YOU CAN'T. You might do a biography of college kids that played for USC if you work closely with IP counsel and get the necessary approvals. Without either an attorney's close guidance or such approvals, doing that biography book would be be classified as unsportsmanlike conduct or in legal terms "infringement", likely of trademarks, publicity rights and perhaps even privacy...