Can a graphic designer reserve the right to copyright a design I paid them to create?

You are about to enter into a contractual relationship with a freelance artist and now is the time to get the deal right for you. The freelance...

Can I use the abbreviations for a trademarked video game if I want to write a tips and tricks book on the title?

It would depend on what your writing is about. If you want to sell something that can augment/enhance the game, then possibly no. If you want to...

What are the copyright restrictions?

Interesting idea. Generally, copyrights protect the creator or owner of the work from others copying the work or derivatives therefrom. If you are...

If you are incorporating your text editor into a piece of software, you may use your trademark for the text editor portion of the new more...

Is a Twitter posting proof of commerce for my software app?

For a specimen that is offered electronically to be accepted by an examining attorney from the USPTO, there needs to be visible clear indicia that...

Each school that has its own school logo will own the rights in its logo. And if the school logo has artistic elements, it or some other entity...

By adding a Disney decal to your product may be trademark infringement, depending on the subject of the decal. If you reproduce the decal (paint,...

Can I turn somebody else’s story into a picture book?

Your picture book/graphics could be considered derivative works from the original works, all of which have explicit copyright protection via...

Does a cover artist need permission to credit a songwriter, link to their website, and embed their image on the artist's site?

Assuming your band is "legally covering" the song: 1) it's never wrong to list facts. If you want to identify the songwriter, feel free; 2)...

How are trademarked phrases handled precisely?

If your customers/clients or the customers/clients of the other entity are likely to be confused as to who is offering the good or service,...