I would add, in general, using the materials of another almost always incurs risk and liability.

Trademark question

Attorney Doland could not be more correct that the absence of a registration is not a green flag for you to use the mark. Regarding a trademark...

What happens after you settle with CEG TEK

Your best bet was to not speak with them and have an attorney handle the negotiations. These companies are skilled in getting you to reveal more...

Could I be facing some legal backlash?

This sounds like a much more complicated issue than can be answered on Avvo. Bottom line, though, if you are using the material of another you...

Attorney Taylor is correct. Creative Commons are a license but not provide copyright protection. To obtain copyright protection you will need...

I am looking to protect a phrase before marketing it on T-shirts & such.

Short phrases are not eligible for copyright. As it sounds like you will use the phrase as a trademark, you are able to see trademark protection...

What keeps competitors from replicating software / websites such as Facebook, Amazon, Ebay, and Youtube?

I am not sure I understand your question. The companies you mentioned do have various protections (e.g. patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade...

Articles about a deceased relative on a news-site are causing me to be bullied. I would like them to be removed. What do I do?

If the articles are truthful (even if unflattering), it is unlikely they will be removed. The bullying is a separate issue...

My son was trapped in an internet sting and we don't have the cash for bail

More details of the situation are required. If your son already has a public defender, you should direct all questions to him/her.

Am I still legally allowed to sell a brand I own 49% of, if my business partner is dissolving the LLC the brand is under?

This is too complicated of a question to answer on a public forum without all the details. You will have to go through with hiring an IP attorney....