New York Intellectual Property Legal Questions

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125 legal questions have been posted about intellectual property by real users in New York. Ask your question and dive into the knowledge of attorneys who handle your issue regularly. Similar topics to explore also include copyrights, intellectual property licensing, and patents. All topics and other states can be accessed in the dropdowns below.
New York Intellectual Property Questions & Legal Answers
Do you have any New York Intellectual Property questions and need some legal advice or guidance? Ask a Lawyer to get an answer or read through our 125 previously answered New York Intellectual Property questions.

Recent Legal Answers

Will a 3D map of New York violate architectural copyright laws?

Answered a year and 10 months ago by attorney Mr. Nickolas Spradlin   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
    Creating a 3D map of New York City involves various legal considerations, particularly concerning architectural copyright laws.  while creating a 3D map of New York City that includes publicly visible buildings is generally permissible, especially under fair use for non-commercial purposes, it is crucial to be aware of specific legal nuances and seek appropriate legal guidance to avoid potential copyright infringement.... Read More
    Creating a 3D map of New York City involves various legal considerations, particularly concerning architectural copyright laws.... Read More

I would like to trademark my brand to make a Store on Amazon

Answered 2 years and 9 months ago by Mark B. Brenner (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
You should contact Andrew H. Berks in our office who is a patent and trademark lawyer. Andrew H. Berks ahb@gdblaw.com 212.935-3131 ext 326   thank you. Mark Mark B. Brenner  
You should contact Andrew H. Berks in our office who is a patent and trademark lawyer. Andrew H. Berks ahb@gdblaw.com 212.935-3131 ext... Read More
It would be advisable to have an assignment agreement in writing. An assignment agreement is created to transfer all copyright interest to another. If you don't do this, at least you should have a work for hire a agreement, so that it serves as evidence of copyright ownership.  DISCLAIMER. This is not legal advice. ... Read More
It would be advisable to have an assignment agreement in writing. An assignment agreement is created to transfer all copyright interest to another.... Read More
It all depends on the time of use of your name, the trademark of the other studio, and your potential intent to have your business name trademarked. Here is a link to an article that may give more answers: https://gamlawoffice.com/what-can-we-do-when-there-are-two-similar-trademarks/
It all depends on the time of use of your name, the trademark of the other studio, and your potential intent to have your business name trademarked.... Read More

Can a news use my youtube content in 90% of their news?

Answered 4 years and 5 months ago by Andrew M. Jaffe (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
I am changing your practice area to Intellectual Property Law in hopes you get some good answers from lawyers in that field.  
I am changing your practice area to Intellectual Property Law in hopes you get some good answers from lawyers in that field.  

How to find sponsor without getting my idea stolen

Answered 4 years and 7 months ago by attorney Giselle Ayala Mateus   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
There is no legal protection for ideas. However, depending of your interaction with others, you could use contracts to protect whatever you think you own and is valuable. I have a video here that may guide you: https://youtu.be/amAuob1S7eo
There is no legal protection for ideas. However, depending of your interaction with others, you could use contracts to protect whatever you think you... Read More
The inventor or assignee of an invention can file a provisional utility patent application, regardless of residency or citizenship status.  While the PPA is not required to meet strict formalities, you are well advised to obtain the services of a patent attorney in preparing and filing your provisional application.  There are many potential pitfalls that may limit the patentability or scope of your later filed nonprovisional application.  Some attorneys offer a discount for preparation of the nonprovisional if they have been hired to prepare the earlier provisional application.  ... Read More
The inventor or assignee of an invention can file a provisional utility patent application, regardless of residency or citizenship... Read More
There are several considerations to make you could definetly sign an assignment agreement. However, if no agreement was signed before, this maybe used against you. This note may give some guidance: https://www.ayalamateus.com/you-are-not-partners-anymore-what-happens-with-your-ip-now
There are several considerations to make you could definetly sign an assignment agreement. However, if no agreement was signed before, this maybe... Read More
In general term the owner of the copyright is the creator not the person who pay for the creation. As a result of that many agreements with artists, developers or software engineers have included a clause to transfer the copyright interest in the work to the person who hires the services of the creator of a work, for instance, a software. That said, there are additional considerations to make, which cannot be all addressed here. This article may help https://www.ayalamateus.com/who-owns-the-intellectual-property-rights-of-a-creative-work. Additionally, platforms like Fiverr do not get involved in a transaction with a freelancers and will not protect your intellectual property or help you with the enforcement of any agreement. Additionally, under Fiver terms and conditions users give to Fiverr an unconditional nonexclusive unlimited license. Whether those terms are enforcement may be subject to debate. However, I don't think you want to create your software to spend years in court. ... Read More
In general term the owner of the copyright is the creator not the person who pay for the creation. As a result of that many agreements with artists,... Read More

Can I have a bad faith trademark registration reversed?

Answered 5 years and 5 months ago by attorney Giselle Ayala Mateus   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
In order to prevent the registration of an infringing trademark, anyone can oppose the registration before it is finished. These note may guide you.  Can I have a bad faith trademark registration reversed?
In order to prevent the registration of an infringing trademark, anyone can oppose the registration before it is finished. These note may guide... Read More

Am I allowed to use another companies name in my advertising if I am claiming to be a generic version of their product?

Answered 6 years and 3 months ago by Bharath Reddy Konda (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
As long as the comparison is truthful and you can prove with empirical data. You may have seen cellular service provider corporation advertisements. They compare with competitor speed, coverage in the advertisement based on the third party assessment tool. Sometimes, these advertisements may be slightly misleading. These are big corporations and will be able to defend themselves from claims of slightly misleading content. Totally misleading advertisement with no factual basis is illegal and most probably get sued by Federal Trademark Commission (i.e., F.T.C.) and competitor. Your best shot would be to find an expert third party independent company in your product category of the industry. Disclaimer: The response is general in nature and cannot be construed as legal advice. If you would like to have legal advice, then please consult any competent attorney privately to discuss your case and establish a proper attorney-client relationship. I only work through my website at https://affordabletrademarkattorney.com/... Read More
As long as the comparison is truthful and you can prove with empirical data. You may have seen cellular service provider corporation advertisements.... Read More

As a partner in a small partnership I coded software line by line. The other partner had suggested ideas. Who owns the software IP?

Answered 6 years and 8 months ago by Ms. Lisa A Dunner (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
We would have to have a better understanding of each person's contribution to the software and business.  Was there anything at all in writing?  Any emails that would indicate the arrangement or ownership?  We can help, but we need more information.
We would have to have a better understanding of each person's contribution to the software and business.  Was there anything at all in... Read More

Need an intellectual property lawyer

Answered 9 years and 3 months ago by Andrew Scott Rapacke (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Thank you for the question.  can y ou please provide me some detail on why you need an intellectual property attorney.  Thank you and Happy New Year.
Thank you for the question.  can y ou please provide me some detail on why you need an intellectual property attorney.  Thank you and Happy... Read More

What is the difference between Counterfeiting and Trademark Infringement?

Answered 9 years and 4 months ago by Andrew Scott Rapacke (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Thank you for the question regarding trademark law and counterfeit goods.  Counterfeiting goods, sometimes called gray market goods falls within the Trademark Act (Lanham Act) and allows for a variety of damages (penalties) including huge fines and even imprisonment.  Under the Lanham Act, there are also civil remedies that you can seek such as treble damages (a fancy way to say triple damages), attorney fees and seizure of the infringing goods.  Some examples of Trademark Infringement:  Using a sign or logo similar to McDonalds "golden arches." Counterfeit example:  Selling imitation Louis Vuitton Purses that are of lesser quality and imitate the original.  Some of the most counterfeit goods are shoes, toys, watches, clothing, handbags, and basic electronics.  My recommendation is to speak with a Law Firm who handles Trademark Infringement cases.  I wish you the best of luck.   Respectfully, Andrew S. Rapacke The Rapacke Law Group, P.A.... Read More
Thank you for the question regarding trademark law and counterfeit goods.  Counterfeiting goods, sometimes called gray market goods falls within... Read More

Is it legal to sell paintings of copyrighted items?

Answered 9 years and 10 months ago by David Scott Safran (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
If the sole issue is over the phrase "press for champagne", then you have nothing to worry about because since short phrases are not protectable by copyright as a matter of law as they are not considered to have sufficient originality to be protectable. 
If the sole issue is over the phrase "press for champagne", then you have nothing to worry about because since short phrases are not protectable by... Read More

Please see below.

Answered 10 years and 4 months ago by David Scott Safran (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
While the specific circumstances would have to be evaluated to reache a conclusion, based on the limited facts presented, it is the example given could possibly be trademark infringement.
While the specific circumstances would have to be evaluated to reache a conclusion, based on the limited facts presented, it is the example given... Read More

Access to Court documents for a case

Answered 10 years and 4 months ago by David Scott Safran (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Yes, the court documents are available online for a fee and you would have to a establish a PACER account to do so. This can be done at https://www.pacer.gov/  
Yes, the court documents are available online for a fee and you would have to a establish a PACER account to do so. This can be done... Read More

The Intellectual Property Lawyer I went to to protect my idea stole it.

Answered 10 years and 5 months ago by David Scott Safran (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
If this truly occurred, you need to file a grievance with the state bar association (you can do this yourself without an attorney), and if the bar association rules that the attorney violated his obligations to you, you can then get an attorney to file a law suit against the attorney and his firm seeking financial damages.... Read More
If this truly occurred, you need to file a grievance with the state bar association (you can do this yourself without an attorney), and if the bar... Read More

Anti-Piracy Measures

Answered 10 years and 6 months ago by Kristen Prata Browde (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Probably not.
Probably not.

Abusive DMCA Notice of Copyright Infringement

Answered 10 years and 7 months ago by Kristen Prata Browde (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Under the circumstances you describe you didn't have the rights to use the material - you simply took it from the website. That's copyright infringement, whether or not the specific company has the rights.
Under the circumstances you describe you didn't have the rights to use the material - you simply took it from the website. That's copyright... Read More

Hi, is it illegal to use Mario sound effects?

Answered 10 years and 7 months ago by David Scott Safran (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Without knowing more, the most that can be said is that you could be committing copyright infringment without first obtaining a license to use the sound effect.
Without knowing more, the most that can be said is that you could be committing copyright infringment without first obtaining a license to use the... Read More

Does your ideas for movies have protection?

Answered 10 years and 9 months ago by Kristen Prata Browde (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
Generally, no. Unless there is something special about the way you communicated the idea to others, an idea is not protected.
Generally, no. Unless there is something special about the way you communicated the idea to others, an idea is not protected.
It is a risky proposition to use company names, brands, and/or logos on your website or in another marketing materials without permission from the company/brand owner to do so.  From your post, it is little unclear to me exactly what your business is and how you are using third party company logos.  I would need to learn more from you about the specifics of your situation in order to provide more specific feedback.  However, as a general principal, use of a third party's name, brand, and/or logos in a commercial manner, without their permission, particularly if your use suggests a relationship, affiliation, sponsorship or some type of connection between the third party and your business is potentially actionable and could expose you to legal liability, injunctive relief (such as a temporary restraining order), and/or monetary damages.... Read More
It is a risky proposition to use company names, brands, and/or logos on your website or in another marketing materials without permission from the... Read More

I filed a fee dispute with an entertainment lawyer who mishandled my case, lost the arbitration and now don't have funds to hire a lawyer

Answered 10 years and 11 months ago by Kristen Prata Browde (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
You lost the arbitration. No, you have no recourse against the lawyer for the fee.    
You lost the arbitration. No, you have no recourse against the lawyer for the fee.    

I am a foreigener entering the US - Will I be detained at US customs if I have a pending civil suit against me?

Answered 11 years ago by Kristen Prata Browde (Unclaimed Profile)   |   1 Answer   |  Legal Topics: Intellectual Property
No. A civil action won't be an issue. But whether the judgment will be enforceable in your home country is a question that can't be answered without more information.
No. A civil action won't be an issue. But whether the judgment will be enforceable in your home country is a question that can't be answered without... Read More