I would like to obtain a patent on design of a toothbrush. Do I need to have a local patent attorney ?

Do you need a patent attorney? You almost certainly would be better to have one than not. Without able patent counsel to advise and guide you...

Presumably, you are using the mark on a nutritional or dietary product similar to that for the ROYAL MACA. My understanding is that maca is a...

I write for a fanfition site and some critics there are tring to say that is it illegal to use song lyircs in a fanfic

Fan fiction is arguably a derivative work that infringes the original copyright (although in some instances, one could argue fair use, but that...

In satire what are the basic laws of okay and not okay so one can't be sued. And would it be slightly different for cartoons?

This is not a subject that can be covered sufficiently in only a few sentences. You can start with the copyright statute on fair use (17 USC 107),...

Can I quote a celebrity on a product of mine?

Quoting a celebrity on your product may violate the celebrity's right of publicity under state law. See California Civil Code Section 3344. ...

I got a photo off Google images for my website. weeks later, Getty wants $800 or they will sue. Why is it OK for Google?

Google's use of thumbnail images of copyright protected work for its search engine typically is considered to be fair use. See Kelly v. Arriba...

Company selling our logo without permission

My first question is whether the logo is inherently distinctive, or is it generic? If it is not distinctive, then trademark protection not be...

Attorney in copyright infringement claim also President of "piracy enforcement" firm who bought DVD... conflict of interest?

As I read the question, there appears to be three actors here. First, the plaintiff. Second, the law firm representing the plaintiff. Third,...

Do trademarks arise out of use in commerce by the company, customers or both? does intention to TM matter?

A company has to use a mark in commerce to identify the source of a product or service in order to acquire trademark rights for that mark in...

Intellectual property suit

Getty Images is known to be aggressive. I do not know what you would consider "an godly amount of money," but you may still need to pay a decent...