What copyright restrictions may or may not be placed on me of a picture I took of a band's setlist during a live, public performance? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2008 - 31 answers

How do you find out who to contact when a website is using your "copyrighted" material to generate ad revenue? [more inside]
posted on Apr 23, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm working on a site (it's a personal project) where I basically review movies that I like. Lately, I've been thinking about adding video clips from the movies/series to give visitors a better understanding of what the movies/series are about. How do I do this legally? [more inside]
posted on Apr 16, 2008 - 13 answers

If I publish short story / prose under a pen-name online (e.g. on a blog) with appropriate copyright notice in the blog (e.g. (C) [pen-name e-mail address]), would it be enough to protect its copyright until I formally publish it in a (real) book? [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 6 answers

What is this unusual symbol? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 12 answers

What can a free online game do about a domain squatting / potential IP infringement situation, that doesn't involve commercial legal advice? [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 2 answers

I'm thinking of creating an ebook that is a workbook companion for an existing popular investment book. What copyright issues do I have to consider? For example, can I title it "The [Investment Book Title] Workbook?" Can I do it at all without getting permission first?
posted on Mar 28, 2008 - 7 answers

If I buy an original piece of artwork, from the artist, without a written contract, who owns the copyright? [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 13 answers

What right do I have to republish software screenshots and promotional material within a critical/academic context? Do I need to get formal permission from the corporations that own & distribute this material? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Some friends and I are into Urban Exploration. We're photographers who enjoy this subject quite a bit. We've been considering writing a book of pictures and a few stories of various sites we have done. I am curious if anyone knows the legal ramifications of publishing such a book? The idea is there would be pictures of sites we did not have permission to photograph. These are sites where 'no trespassing' signs have been clearly posted and alternative measures have been used to gain entrance. Note:: No breaking and entering or burgulary methods were used. Available entrances only. This question is on the legality of publishing said book, please no flames or discussion on the legal issues surrounding urbex itself. Thanks in advance.
posted on Mar 11, 2008 - 11 answers

How does one obtain a license to recreate a font in handwriting/design? [more inside]
posted on Mar 6, 2008 - 9 answers

I have a website where I upload all of my photos and license them as public domain. Each photo is individually listed as public domain, each has a link to it's Creative Commons "license" as a work in the public domain, and the site is rather obviously all about photos in the public domain. The problem - Large companies are taking my photos and, without editing them, putting their copyright on them. Is this evil, and how nasty should I be about it? [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 28 answers

Are there any copyright infringement issues to using a Rubber Stamp Image that I purchased on my website? [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 17 answers

How do I handle copyright issues on a blog/CMS template I'm developing and selling? [more inside]
posted on Feb 21, 2008 - 4 answers

What are the largest creative projects released under a creative commons license, such as feature length movies or full albums? [more inside]
posted on Feb 18, 2008 - 4 answers

Copyright filter, again! There have been lots and lots of threads discussing trademark vs. copyright, etc, but in my searching I did not find the answer to this question: what will happen when Mickey Mouse goes out of copyright? [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2008 - 10 answers

Is there a certain number of seconds below which it is okay to use copyrighted music without permission? [more inside]
posted on Jan 13, 2008 - 15 answers

What should I know about trademarks and copyrights before launching a web comics site? [more inside]
posted on Jan 11, 2008 - 5 answers

What are the usual practices of major (and minor) print publications when entering into contracts with freelance writers and photographers (stringers)? The publication can certainly force (or request) stringers to enter into contracts that say their articles are a "work for hire" or purchase "all rights" in the material. Is this the norm now or do only the major newspapers do this? [more inside]
posted on Jan 4, 2008 - 5 answers

Can you really hold copyright to a business model/idea/concept, and disallow others from duplicating it? If not, then how is The Sampler able to do so? [more inside]
posted on Dec 21, 2007 - 26 answers

Please help me find a lawyer with Creative Commons license experience [more inside]
posted on Dec 20, 2007 - 3 answers

Some friends and I are putting recipes on our website for easy reference, and for comparative analysis of different recipes for the product. As far as I can tell, ingredient lists can't be copyrighted. But how much do we need to change/reword the instructions to preempt letters from lawyers?
posted on Dec 17, 2007 - 11 answers

Help me remember what book I read this in: In this sci-fi dystopia, you don't have to buy books or recordings. They're free for the taking. But at regular intervals, you have to report to a "copyright center" to have your brain scanned, at which point you are charged for the media you've consumed. Not reporting... [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2007 - 12 answers

How tough are copyrights on website design and content, if a client asks you to re-use content? [more inside]
posted on Dec 12, 2007 - 10 answers

I've got some local postcards that are 90+ years old (as determined by postmark). Are they out of copyright -- can I sell reproductions? [more inside]
posted on Dec 9, 2007 - 4 answers

I've got a product that has attracted the attention of the big boys - how do I make sure they don't rip me off? [more inside]
posted on Dec 5, 2007 - 20 answers

I just had my son's pictures taken at a national portrait studio that I'd never used before. The back of my receipt says, "[Studio name] reserves the right to use any portrait for advertising, promotions, and display purposes." [more inside]
posted on Dec 3, 2007 - 20 answers

Two Totally Unrelated Questions About THIS VIDEO. Not the content of the video, but the usage. 1) What flash player/UI is that? Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I feel like I've been seeing it not just on Gawker sites, but on many others. Is that a standard player UI that is built into Flash for output to .flv files? 2) Obviously this is totally unauthorized usage. Would this be considered "fair use"? Can anyone recommend any articles on the current state of fair use and online video? Are companies like Gawker and Huffington Post (example) on firm legal ground with this kind of excerpting, which they then host in their own systems/servers, or are they just gambling that the web is so anarchic, that Mr. Big Media Company won't come a suin'?
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 5 answers

Is it or isn't it public domain? News article published in 1909 should be in the public domain, but news service I purchased it from says its copyrighted. [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2007 - 14 answers

I need to make a simple contract in which I photograph something and the resulting images end up in the public domain. [more inside]
posted on Nov 7, 2007 - 9 answers

Is it possible to copyright a legal agreement? I'd like to do some cut and pasting of a few Terms of Service agreements but don't want to run afoul of the law.
posted on Oct 17, 2007 - 24 answers

I am an artist with an hell of demons in my past, who wants to start a website for my work without any of said demons tracking me down via google. So... I would like to start using a professional pseudonym, without changing my real name legally. How simple/complicated is this, and how do I go about it? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2007 - 14 answers

Can I print the greek letters representing particular fraternities and sororities on items without permission from these organisations? [more inside]
posted on Oct 7, 2007 - 11 answers

Please help me learn a few simple techniques in Blender. Including outputting an animation to video. [more inside]
posted on Oct 4, 2007 - 1 answers

I'm a teacher at a for-profit English school in Japan and I want to display a few clips from movies and have students read-along with a script. The problem is, since our school isn't a non-profit, I don't know how to get the performance right, especially since I am in Japan. Is it worth pursuing? It is only for a few classes and not very important, but I thought it'd be a fun way for students to improve listening skills.... Thanks all!
posted on Sep 27, 2007 - 7 answers

Andrew Bird's 2005 show on Fabchannel is my favorite performance of all time. How can I preserve it before the license expires and the gig is over? [more inside]
posted on Sep 17, 2007 - 7 answers

My blog is beginning to be somewhat successful, and after finding my content in various places without attribution I'm a little nervous. I'm using Wordpress, hosted somewhere else... What sort of steps should I be taking to protect my content? I've certainly no problem with people quoting a bit, etc. but I take a dim view of someone reposting an entire article with new ads, etc. I'm aware that a lot of sites simply steal and make use of your feeds - anyway to stop that short of not having full feeds? Also, what sort of copyright notice should I be employing that both protects me and separates me from any comments people may make? Thanks!
posted on Sep 15, 2007 - 8 answers

Are website designs copyrighted? [more inside]
posted on Sep 9, 2007 - 10 answers

I would like to use a Creative Commons-licensed photo in the top-of-the-page banner of a web site I am developing. The photo has this license. What is the best way to fairly attribute the photo and respect the photographer's wishes? [more inside]
posted on Sep 3, 2007 - 4 answers

What's a good name for the kind of "piracy" that doesn't feel like piracy to a reasonable person? [more inside]
posted on Sep 1, 2007 - 47 answers

Are U.S. Government publications copyrighted or in the Public Domain? More specifically, are Federal Reserve publications copyrighted or in the Public Domain? I'd like to be able to monkey with these comics, but am wary of violating copyright. (I've sent e-mail to the Federal Reserve asking this same question, but am skeptical that I'll receive a timely response.)
posted on Aug 23, 2007 - 28 answers

I want to include some fabricated video game footage into a commercial video piece. I don't have the time or the resources to have professional 3D animation done, so I've decided to use a machinima approach towards animation. My main concern, though, is copyright issues -- what's the best game engine to use for producing footage that's truly royalty-free? [more inside]
posted on Aug 7, 2007 - 4 answers

Is the 1956 recording of Hound Dog by Elvis Presley out of copyright in the UK? [more inside]
posted on Jul 29, 2007 - 9 answers

Is it legal to post a contract online? [more inside]
posted on Jul 26, 2007 - 8 answers

Legalfilter: Who really owns an open source project? [more inside]
posted on Jul 12, 2007 - 14 answers

I'm producing a parody of Deal or No Deal. Since assembling an audience of sufficient size is beyond my means, I am planning to occasionally show audience shots from an original episode of Deal or No Deal. Does this qualify as fair use? [more inside]
posted on Jul 8, 2007 - 14 answers

I can't think of a better word than "reflow". Basically, I just want to take a video and put markers in the timeline that determine what portions of the video get played and in what order. This would allow you to abridge videos without having to modify the video, which might violate certain copyright laws. I'm looking for a tool, program, or website with this feature, can anyone help?
posted on Jul 6, 2007 - 7 answers

Does the public library have the right to charge a "licensing fee" or "usage fee" for images, photos, drawings, etc., that they have placed online, but that were created before January 1, 1923? Isn't this work in the public domain, and therefore, free of charge? [more inside]
posted on Jul 5, 2007 - 26 answers

Fair Use Filter -- I want to take clips from movies and embed them in an online essay as quotation-style references. [more inside]
posted on Jul 2, 2007 - 6 answers

Who owns the copyrights to a web / software project that we develop for a client? How much should we charge for exclusivity, ie serving only that ONE client in the market? [more inside]
posted on Jun 30, 2007 - 10 answers