Comments on: Got Legal Questions? Ask Jean!

By: Jaime

Jaime — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:24:32 +0000

This is a great way to reach out to those who really need legal help the most. It’s hard to find someone credible in the internet, but your qualifications do speak for themselves. All these people have a lot of questions. I do hope you help them find the best resolution possible. Hope more and more professionals like you help out and reach out those that need you.

By: William T

William T — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:24:39 +0000

My mom died 17 years ago. My brother is a lawyer. He Handled probate. I received “Partial Distributions” from my moms estate in the amount of $200/month for less than a year with the understanding that I would receive the rest at another time. my sister was given the house. She’s an attorney also. Meanwhile my brother continues to thrive. He just bought a 55 foot boat with a slip in Marina Del Rey. I on the other hand have struggled all my adult life. Additionally, I have a 14 daughter with special needs. We live in a residential hotel. I receive $242/every two wks frm unemployment insurance.

By: annie

annie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:25:14 +0000

What are some of the legal issues involved in the use of illustrations and typefaces

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:36:08 +0000

Would you know if a single word can be trademarked if that word is already trademarked in conjunction with another word? For example can I trademark “Dapper” if there is already “Dapper Clothing”? Thanks so much.

By: Boca SEO

Boca SEO — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:08:27 +0000

Hello,
Any suggestions where we might find a generic terms of service disclaimer for use on our website? Thanks.

By: cath airola

cath airola — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:43:04 +0000

We purchased an original piece of art from our neighbor. Last sunday she asked to borrow it back to make prints. My spouse and I orally said ok, and the neighbor took the piece from our home. Due to other issues with this neighbor my spouse and I have decided against letting this neighbor use our piece of art. I have called her home and her cell and informed her that we have revoked our permission, and request immediate return of our art. I understand she owns the copyright to this piece, I have do not intent to copy or redistribute it. Do I have to let her copy it for prints after we have purchased it from her? Thank you in advance for your response. be well. cath

By: Michel

Michel — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:03:55 +0000

I want to sell photographs that I have taken of action figures (toys) that I took and own. However, these action figures are of course representations of copyrighted characters such as popular heroes like superman, or from movies such as the matrix.
Is this infringing on the rights of the toy manufacturer to sell images of their products?

Does it make a difference if I don’t use written or spoken word that references their product, just the image?

By: Kendra

Kendra — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:56:59 +0000

Hello, I have a question that I really hope you can help me with. I am opening up a business and we are having a logo created. However, we really want to incorporate a smiley within the logo and the drafts look great. However, is it legal to use a smiley within our logo? Is there a trademark on a smiley? I have tried to research this online, but can’t find an answer. It seems as if the smiley is trademarked in other countries, but the United States will now allow it, or am I misinterpreting the information? If it is allowed, can it be your typical smiley, or should be alter it a little (as in put a hat, mustache, or something like that on it?) Thank you so much. We really want to get our business up and going with a catchy logo!

By: Patty

Patty — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:45:25 +0000

Hi Jean,
I’ve done a variety of artwork – package cards, catalogs, flyers, etc for a company of the past 12 years.
Below is their request:
“I am requesting that you supply us with CD’s containing the artwork for all our package cards, in your possession. This work was done several years ago and copies of the original artwork was not supplied to us at the time. This artwork is the our property and should be released to us.”
So…. I gave them a quote and this is their reply:
“I have reviewed your quotation and can not accept this charge. The original artwork should have been provided us when the Package Cards were originally completed. ”
Jean – When I designed the cards –
1. I did not charge customer for a lot of the work – billing isn’t my
strong point).
2. I didn’t register copyright.
3. I put ©customer name on the cards vs. ©mycompany name. Does this mean I transferred my rights?
Do I have to give them the artwork?
Thank you – Patty

By: Rochelle

Rochelle — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:04:58 +0000

Hi Jean,

I’ve been asked to write for a charcter in a series of comic books. Should the publisher and I do a licensing agreement or writer-for-hire? When I decide to spin-off from that charcter to the charcter of my own creation what type of agreement should I obtain under those conditions?

-Rochelle