You really have two questions here. The first and easiest to answer is the non-compete question. So long as you did not commit to any written...

Someone wants permission to use our mother's quote from a documentary that was made about our deceased mother.

It depends on the context. Using quotes will generally be permitted. This is largely because using what amounts to a very small portion of a much...

When making social media posts for a business can we refer to a professional sports team name at all?

You are free to use another's trademark descriptively in text to refer to that mark holder. This is called "nominative fair use" and the classic...

Regards to the phrase, you cannot coin a phrase nor can a short phrase be protected under copyright. The only way to protect it is by using it as a...

You have to make sure that whatever you use without license is in the public domain. As noted, a good rule of thumb though not conclusive are works...

I'm not understanding what you asking here. You are certainly free to place your logo and mark on promotional items like shirts and hats, etc. and...

As noted, you don't own words. While the marks are always considered in their totalities, a mark like this will be vetted as a pseudo mark and...

You could be violating their right of privacy and publicity, which are state governed laws that vary. These kick in when one uses the name, image...

In theory there is no reason why you would not be able to use it on these facts, but you still have to clear the mark. Before you invest in any...

Business owner in NY telling me I have to stop using my business name in TX. Help!

It really depends. Assuming that this other business has no federally registered trademark and otherwise cannot claim that they were doing business...