Is a media company / neighborhood allowed to use your photo for a billboard to promote sales without a release/consent?

It has to be looking into. The question of whether they can rely on implied consent to me seems key given the facts. I suggest that you consult...

Verbal agreement for a logo design without financial compensation

This really begs for a proper evaluation. It is not clear whether we have a joint authorship here or not. Before you take any further action on...

My trademarked business name is being used by an out of state business, selling the same thing. what are my options?

So, if you can, see if you can find out when they may have started using the name. If it turns out that they have been using it since before you...

You received a good response from my colleague. I agree. The only types of contracts I have seen that are enforceable as against a minor are for...

Does this scenario constitute defamation of character?

You would really need to have a lawyer properly review all the facts here to determine whether you have any claim worth bringing. You may, but...

If you wanted to do this for your own personal use, no problem. Doing it for others and for profit exposes you. We see this a lot with things like...

Can I get sued for copyright infringement for updating the language of a public domain work?

You are free to do what you want with anything in the public domain. You just have to make sure that it is in fact in the public domain. Keep...

I’ve heard you can use logos that are only trademarked (not copywritten) on t shirts?

Regards to copyright, any creative expression will be covered by copyright law automatically. Then you register the work with the US Copyright...

Can I use open source material for profit?

There is no protection for facts. Only for creative expression. So long as you are not copying another's work product verbatim or creating...

Can I trademark a two name brand if someone has a similar trademark with one of the names in a distantly similar industry?

Trying to chew on these kinds of questions here and in the hypothetical is next to impossible. You really need a proper clearance done. I will...