Clik here to view.
What is the Time Limit for Filing Sampling Infringement Lawsuit?
Dear Rich: I manage a band that made several songs, one in particular that has been sampled 153 times by various artists from 1988 to 2013. Except for half a dozen artists who made deals and paid (and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wants to Copy Website's Terms of Service
Dear Rich: I run a a health and fitness blog. It has come to my attention that a medical disclaimer should be included on my website. These disclaimer appear lengthy and go into a great degree of legal...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wants to Create a Book Using Onstage Banter
Dear Rich: We are working on a book that provides a compilation of stage banter quotes from rock concerts -- onstage quotes of famous singers and songwriters. We do not make commentary about the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Any Way Around Lyric Licensing?
Lorenz Hart: one great lyricistDear Rich: I want to start a lyric website that would link to a reference site like Wikipedia. Would I need a linking agreement or have to pay a fee? I am considering...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Do I Copyright Children's Book?
Dear Rich: We have a wonderful book about ready to send to the printer. The idea for the story came from my wife and I. We contracted with someone to write and illustrate the book. We have had many...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Often Do We Register SaaS Software Copyright?
Dear Rich: I can't seem to find any recommendations for how to handle copyright registration of software that is changing frequently. Now that SaaS (software as a service - ed) software companies are...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Wants to Register Book With Antique Glass Negatives
Dear Rich: I have been collecting interesting antique glass negatives. Some I restored, others I changed artistically. I plan on writing a book of Haiku poetry and using the images from the glass...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michelin Domain Challenge
Dear Rich: Two years ago, my mother received a medical diagnosis and was expected to live about nine months to a year. In order to pass the time, and take her mind off of things, she decided she wanted...
View ArticleClik here to view.
More Questions About Licensed Fabric
Dear Rich: I have two questions related to your post, "Can I Sell Clothing Made From Copyrighted Fabric?" (1) You indicate that crafters may freely use licensed fabric to make new creations under the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
There's No Place Like My Trademark
"home" for geeksDear Rich: We have a t-shirt business in which we use a slogan and then add a geographic location -- imagine something like, "I Wish I Were in [City]" or "There's No Place Like [City]."...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Am I A Part Owner If I Fix a Defective Audio File?
Dear Rich: Some friends made an audio recording of a discussion. They could not get the audio file to work so they they asked me to convert it to an MP3 file so it would actually be playable. So I...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Etsy Removed My Miniature Horse Figurines
our version of SuperhorseDear Rich: I opened a small shop on Etsy that sells miniature horse figurines painted in popular culture themes (TV, anime, comics, etc). In the first 24 hours, I received a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can We Stream Pandora in Our Dorm?
Dear Rich: I work at a boarding high school. Recently the administration discussed whether or not it was acceptable to stream Pandora (whether a paid-for subscription or a free subscription with ads...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can My YouTube Video Get Fair Use?
Dear Rich: Can you check out my video and let me know if I can get fair use?We can't tell whether your video qualifies as a fair use because Viacom has "blocked it on copyright grounds." We also can't...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Should I List My BMI Name or LLC Name on Copyright Application?
Dear Rich: Basically I was wondering whether I should use the BMI approved name of our publishing company, or the actual legal name of our LLC when filing the copyright for all my sheet music. BMI...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Grouping Songs and Sound Recordings on One Application
Dear Rich: I'm a musician and have a question about filing my sound recording and song copyright applications. The copyright circular says that they can be registered in a single application provided...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Does Copyright Notice Indicate Expired Copyright?
Dear Rich: I want to use material from a webpage that says "Copyright 1996 to 2010." Does that mean it has expired?No, the copyright hasn't expired. The copyright notice should reflect the date of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Poet Says No: Can I Say Yes?
Emily D: "I'm Nobody"Dear Rich: I am a grad student in journalism and for my masters project I am putting together a website of a series of videos that I have done of people talking about the joy they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Does Copyright Office Know Whether I've Published?
Dear Rich: I understand that the unpublished and published works have different fees and filing processes. But when I'm registering a not-yet-published-work, when is it OK to publish them on my website...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Can City Stop Me From Using Photos and City Seal?
Dear Rich: Can a city prevent me from using pictures of their workers who have the city seal logo on the workers hats and shirts. I am using the pictures in a power point for educational and critiquing...
View Article