Is a Watermark on an Image the Same Thing as a Copyright? **Attorney Advertising **
Artists of all types and media take a risk when showcasing their work on the internet. Images are easy to steal, and many artists have had the unfortunate experience of seeing their work end up in places that they did not authorize or receive compensation for. Understandably, artists have resorted to “watermarking” their images online […]
How Aretha Franklin Helped Lead the Fight for Musicians Against Unfair Copyright Laws **Attorney Advertising **
When it comes to music copyright laws and royalties, Aretha Franklin was never truly given the respect she deserved. Respect was Franklin’s first No. 1 hit and a tune that would grace the airways as an anthem of strength and empowerment for decades. But, few people realize that Franklin was paid nothing for approximately 7 […]
How Can I Change My Trademark’s Ownership Information? **Attorney Advertising **
There are many reasons why a trademark holder may need to formally change the trademark’s ownership information with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The most common scenarios and instructions for carrying out such changes are listed below. Change in Legal Name When the owner of a trademark changes his or her name, that […]
Filing for Trademarks: Are You Selling Goods, Services, or Both? **Attorney Advertising **
When applying for a trademark, you will be asked on the application to describe the goods and/or services associated with the mark for which you are applying. While this may seem like a straightforward procedure, many business owners don’t fully think through the way their company operates and may omit elements or overly simplify the […]
Afraid Someone Will Steal Your Work Before It’s Complete? Consider Pre-Registering It. **Attorney Advertising **
There are times when a content creator or artist may fear that their work could be stolen or infringed upon before it’s officially finished and released to the public. This often happens in the music industry, in film with movie releases, and in literary works that are part of a popular genre or focused on […]
Can You Receive a Copyright Using a Pen Name? **Attorney Advertising**
Many authors choose to publish their literary works under a pen name in order to remain anonymous. Throughout history, women have published books under male pen names to hide their gender, while some authors have used pen names to write outside of their established genre. Others may simply use a pen name to protect their […]
Do I Need Permission or a License to Perform a Cover of a Song? **Attorney Advertising**
Whether you’re a wedding singer, you sing in a local band, or perform music with your school or university, chances are you’ve performed a “cover” of a song that was created by another artist or producer. But, when does merely performing someone else’s song or musical material become a violation of intellectual property rights? And, […]
Judge Says Embedding a Tweet May Be Copyright Infringement **Attorney Advertising **
Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook encourage social sharing. If there’s an update or post that you resonate with, you’re free to share that message with your friends, fans, or followers. Now though, a federal court in New York may soon put the brakes on the practice of sharing Twitter updates outside of […]
Can I Register a Trademark That’s Been “Abandoned?” **Attorney Advertising**
Anyone seeking to register a trademark is first encouraged to conduct a search with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to ensure that the mark is not already in use by another business or brand. The hope is that the trademark is unique enough that the owner can move forward with the registration process […]
Is the Content on my Website Automatically Copyright Protected? **Attorney Advertising**
You’ve worked hard to build your website and create content that’s unique and appealing to your readers. It’s understandable that the last thing you’d want is for someone to be able to steal your content and use it on a website that is not affiliated with your business or brand. But do you need to […]
