What are the copyright laws and acts that protects a publishing company when the original copyright owner dies..?

47% of Americans think a publisher has no license if the author who granted it dies. If the author would release his license documents we would...

If someone has a trademark for a series of words and it says this is what the use is......Goods and Services :clothing t shirts,

Did someone hit you in the head with a "throwed roll" from Lambert's there in Sykesville? You have to give more details. Think about it. If the...

Looking to hire a lawyer to create contest rules and disclaimer

You need to add a zero to the flat fee to get any interest. There is no lawyer posting on Avvo that charges that low. It costs more than that just...

I want to title a book: WICKED WONDERS: A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO TWILIGHT. Would the use of a another title in the subtitle be ok?

You have a good grasp of the principles. Keep it clear that you are making a commentary and that will go far toward avoiding likelihood of any...

Can someone patent an idea to cover things they didn't think about, kind of an all encompassing patent?

Read and reread the fine answer by Attorney Ballard. Enabling concepts (ones you can describe in sufficient detail to enable them to be made and...

Can a youth football team where the players are not from the local community be allowed to take over a football field.

Presumably the school district owns the field behind the school, so I would start with them. If the school district encompasses the other team's...

You may use a branded hot sauce in your hot sauce recipe sold under your brand name, provided you do not reference the other brand (trademark...

If I have website which has a smile contest where individuals upload a picture of themself smiling are there any legalities i

You need to see an attorney to get appropriate releases and to review to see if what you have in mind is "gambling", although it does not sound...

Is it violating copyright laws if I take a picture of me in a roman soldier costume I bought and and put it on my book cover?

Probably not, as Roman costumes are pretty common and usually generic. Now, if it is labeled with some movie studio trademark or it is an...

Can I sell my skills rather then the image I'm recreating? Can I get a commission for painting Mickey, the Hulk, etc. on shoes?

Great answer from Attorney Michelen. A couple of additional points: One colleague suggested an indemnification agreement. An indemnification...