Daniel has provided excellent guidance. I would add a few points. Copyright protection can be very useful, but a patent (if you can get it) is a...

I write songs. I have several on the internet right now. How can I ensure that no one will re-record them for profit?

One your song has been recorded and published, you cannot prevent others from recording in the United States. Our copyright laws have a compulsory...

I am working on an iphone app that will show auto engine specs. Can I use manufacturer names and logos?

It depends on how you intend to use them. If you use them merely to describe factual information that you provide concerning engines, and your use...

Copyright & Trademarks

This might infringe OSU's trademark and copyrights. Universities such as OSU are increasingly vigilent in asserting their IP rights, because these...

I want to translate into Spanish articles from US based websites and publish them in my website.

You absolutely cannot do this without obtaining a license for each work that you want to translate. Legitimate publishers of web-sites retain IP...

Can a small business in my city with a similar name to my emerging small business take legal action against me?

No lawyer could tell you that you are "safe". In fact, I doubt that you are "safe" but I am not sure. I would need to know much more information...

Does fair use allow you to name one of your summer school theme weeks "Disney Days"

Probably not. Assuming that Disney markets and sells programming for educational purposes, it might not be happy to know that some consumers might...

What constitues a legal contract for photos of an individual in New York? if a photographer takes photos in a private place, and

Generally the photographer owns the copyrights in the photograph absent a written agreement to the contrary. However, this does not mean that...

Can someone change the formulation of something and call it their own?

It depends on the specific facts and circumstances. If you use two known substances that are not covered by patent and combine them together to...

An international channel aired the footage of a high profile interview I did with no final agreement on compensation, credits

You may have a viable claim for copyright infringement, although your failure to register probably will preclude you from obtaining statutory...