Can a company claim copyright/trademark over a vague concept such as "empowerment" tied to a specific type of jewelry?

Your instincts are correct. No one can own an idea, or try and monopolize an entire market with a (highly descriptive and therefore very weak)...

No you cannot. That is called an adaptation and requires a license from the copyright owner. It is not a parody unless you are commenting on the...

Can I show Netflix or purchased DVDs in a classroom?

Complicated answer. Some general guidelines: 1) Yes, you can show a DVD as part of the class if: the display is spontaneous, not planned in...

Suing a Customer for not paying their bills?

A business lawyer, or a collections lawyer.

The good news is that you already have a copyright. Copyright comes into existence at the moment the work is fixed in a tangible medium of...

Doesn't really matter. The old rule was that in state court you use letters and a federal court use Numbers, but now just so it is clear

Can I publish my book in digital download form before I receive the certificate of registration

Yes. Your copyright registration and all of the rights and privileges apartment thereto are effective retroactive to the filing date, regardless...

Yes. Titles are not protected by copyright.

If your professor said that, s/he is... uninformed. The answer is no, you can't quote song lyrics without violating the copyright in the song....

No can do. Violates the copyright in the film, the copyright in the script, the copyright in the soundtrack, the actors' rights of publicity and...