What steps do I need to take to ensure a book is in the public domain and I won't be sued for copyright infringement?

The law regarding how long a copyright lasts for works that old is murky, but if the book was first published in the 1950s, and if the copyright...

Am I covered under copyright?

You are probably the owner of the copyrights in those photographs, and you probably have an oral agreement with the band to use them contingent on...

If someone stole exact wording and artwork designs from my website to use on theirs, can I sue for IP infringement?

This is exactly the kind of contingent fee work that I do almost exclusively. If you are ready to discuss your potential case in more detail, feel...

Just happening upon a child porn picture is not, in and of itself, a crime. Making a copy of that picture to look at later probably is. Sending...

Copyrights question

If the work has not already been done, then get an agreement that does two things: identifies the work as a "work-for-hire" and ALSO obligates the...

Can I copyright a drawing in my company name?

It seems you asked the same question twice. Did you mean should you register your copyright in your own name or in the name of your company? That...

I would like to start a blog, the subject being a local musician (but quite famous), and use pics from the web. Can I do that?

This question has neatly consolidated most of the prevailing myths concerning copyright infringement. In a nutshell, NO you cannot just copy...

Is my work a derivative work that can be copyrighted or is there infringement?

The original copyright owner is the only one who has the authority to make derivative works. That's one of the exclusive rights held by the...

My band would like to use the name Vegas Hyenas - are we likely to have any legal problems using this name ?

You should conduct a search of the records of the USPTO and see if that name has already been registered as a trademark. ...

Should IP when sold be registered with the courts as a sale?

If by "registered with the courts" do you mean should notice of the sale be recorded, like you would record a deed of real property? If that is...