Jefferson Hampton Coulter II's Answers

Cease and desist letter received from Getty Images for possible copyright infringement

Ask them nicely to send you a copy of the Copyright Registration for the images they have identified. If they cannot, they don't have much of a case, but I would still remove the images if you can.

16 people marked this answer as helpful

Do I need to get permission from copyright holder to show a movie for educational purposes

The studio would say "of course" and they'd likely be right, but in reality, your chances of being sued for watching a movie on a private or school chartered bus is pretty small. There are certain educational exemptions for showing copyrighted works. One of those exemptions is display of copyrighted material for classroom purposes. Technically, that should be a movie used in the classroom as part of the instruction. I don't know what the subject of the film is, bt it probably doesn't...

1 person marked this answer as helpful

WA state and federal copyright and patent infringement laws

The creators of "Scrabulous" hit this same problem. The makers of Scrabble served them with a takedown notice and they took their game off the internet. However, its arguable whether their copyright in the board game and rules would cover a similar concept for a different media. Ideas can' be copyrighted, just their expession (in copyright) or their embodiement (for patents.) Trademarks protect against consumer confusion, so stay away from similar sounding titles. I'd recomend you...

1 person marked this answer as helpful

Music Copyright

Copyright covers the image (photo), but rights of publicity cover commercial use of a persons image. So, unless you have permission from both the person (or their estate) and the copygiht holder (person who took the photo), you're treading on dangerous ground. The same is true of commercial names (trademarks), such as coors. Always get permission. A good place to start are the various image banks, like corbis.com, where you purchase a license to use certain images. Trademarks never...

Invoice

Did you actual sign such a contract? Or otherwise agree to it? Generally, Dish Network sells its product through third-party distributors who are, quite frankly, not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Dish exercises little control over them and they rarely actually get someone to sign a contract, beyond just agreeing that the service is installed. In your shoes, I would refuse to pay until they produce the contract. Worst case scenario, they find the contract. Best case, they can't...

Online Gambling

Online Gambling is a Class C Felony in Washington. Be Careful. http://www.makeyougohmm.com/20060527/3367/

I wanted to know if it was legal to sell replica designer bags, jordan shoes and designer apperal?

Generally, it is legal. There is no copyright protection available for "useful articles" such as clothing, shoes, etc. Some items (certain bags and shoes) may be so unique that they are protected under a design patent. However, it is a much more expensive process, with a much hgher standard to obtain than a copyright. They have to be really innovative, not just an original work. ("there is no other shoe like this shoe"). There are also instances were fashion designs can be protected under...

3 people marked this answer as helpful

HOW CAN I PROTECT MY WORK PRODUCT AND PROPRIETARY DATA FROM COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT OF A CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

Go to youtube and look at their DMCA policy. Submit a claim of copyright ownership and request that YouTube remove your video. The DMCA takedown provisions are the your best bet here. For the other issues, you need more thorough legal advice and should consult with a copyright attorney immediately. Good luck!

2 people marked this answer as helpful

Finding Trademarks

There are a number of options, ranging from cheap to expensive. 1. search the USPTO trademark database (TESS) at USPTO.gov and search the internet for any names that are similar to the ones you are considering. Also, search in your industry sector. So, if you are publishing company and are thinking about the name "pyramid publishing" you might search the internet on both "pyramid" and "publishing." This won't find state-registered trademarks or some more under-the-radar uses, but it can...

2 people marked this answer as helpful

Making a non profit and becoming a 501(c)(3)

The non-profit form is a little daunting, but there are plety of resources out there to help you fill it out. Mostly, it needs to be a good faith projection based on your first three years. Think of it like a nonprofit "business" plan. Once you submit it, the IRS will contact you with any questions/issues. Which you can then resolve. When you have resolved them, you will get an Advance Ruling, which means that you have three years to take donations (which are tax exempt for the donor) while...

2 people marked this answer as helpful