I have some questions about crafting and copyright. If I make objects out of old boardgames and then sell them online, am I running afoul of any copyright or trademark laws? As a contrived example, let's say that I make a lamp out of a Monopoly game, using the actual game board and pieces. If I try to sell it on Etsy, would Hasbro have any kind of claim against me?
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posted by chrisamiller
on Sep 22, 2012 -
10 answers
Why is it that, when content providers go on DMCA takedown-sprees on YouTube, versions of the content that were visibly filmed off of a TV or other monitor often remain? Is this some kind of loophole, or do content providers choose not to go after low quality copies of copyrighted content?
posted by speedgraphic
on Jan 27, 2012 -
3 answers
I want to create a website that presents the schedule/info of a con in a more usable format than officially provided. Is this something I should be asking a lawyer about?
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posted by anonymous
on Jun 24, 2011 -
9 answers
I want to learn more about the history and legal issues surrounding copyright infringement/intellectual property and how it relates to businesses and artists in the United States. What would be a good place to start? (Prompted by
this thread.)
posted by autoclavicle
on Mar 29, 2011 -
8 answers
Can I publish really old postcards in a book free and clear?
What are the rules around doing this (i.e. are there copyright concerns? do they every expire?)
posted by joshuamcginnis
on Feb 10, 2011 -
5 answers
What would the penalty be for
publicly exhibiting a downloaded, pirated copy of a new movie? Not simply in your basement or something, but at an actual movie theater?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 24, 2011 -
22 answers
Unless specified against so, is it legal to copy other people's legal documents (work contract, websites' disclaimer, terms of use, etc) for my own use? I want to copy parts of other people's legal documents to create a customized version for my own business.
posted by bbxx
on Sep 4, 2010 -
9 answers
I've created a map based on two usgs 7.5minute topographical maps and years of MY data plotted on them. I think outdoors people would buy this map... Can i Sell it? Do i need permission from the USGS? What is the copyright on a usgs map?
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posted by Paleoindian
on Aug 14, 2010 -
2 answers
I've got an idea for a mobile (iPhone) app, turns out there is a patent that covers the idea. What can I do?
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posted by blueplasticfish
on Jul 8, 2010 -
8 answers
I want to translate some pages and make the translation available to other people. Can I do that? Google apparently can, without asking permission of the original author. What happens to the copyright of (Google-) translated web pages?
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posted by Zarkonnen
on May 28, 2010 -
8 answers
I'm thinking of creating a political parody website that may step on some toes and/or trademarks. I have a few technical and legal questions about how best to go about this.
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posted by Riki tiki
on Dec 22, 2009 -
6 answers
I'm making a magazine (for a class), and one of the articles is about video game addictions. I wanted something that stood out for the title page, and I found
this great little image. I used parts of it (pieces of the image, as well as the exact color) to make the title page image.
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posted by ismaelsobek
on Apr 28, 2009 -
5 answers
What sort of copyright protection do performers (burlesque, specifically, but any stage performance works) have? What about tribute acts?
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posted by divabat
on Apr 17, 2009 -
21 answers
Why do movie credits always contain the line "This motion picture was created by <company> for purposes of copyright law in the United Kingdom"?
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posted by Mwongozi
on Feb 26, 2009 -
5 answers
Can I buy a copyrighted product (i.e., a toy), modify it for other uses, and then re-sell it?
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posted by Jon_Evil
on Dec 16, 2008 -
14 answers
Can I legally harvest facts posted in an Internet forum, reformat them, and display them in a more user-friendly format on my web site?
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posted by underdetermined
on Dec 7, 2008 -
11 answers
I want to include a sample sale-and-purchase contract in a book that I am writing. Do I need to get the approval of the lawyer (or firm) who first wrote the contract? How do I find the copyright holder? And could I resolve this by creating a composite of several different contracts?
Thanks in advance.
posted by quidividi
on Nov 1, 2008 -
2 answers
This is a bit of a follow up to
this question. I'm contemplating a small comics project staring a fictionalised version of HP Lovecraft (something I've done before but thsi will be slight higher profile) and the title will be something along the lnes of "H.P. Lovecraft's World of Weirdness". Is the use of his name in the title like that, which might imply some kind of authorship or endorsement or somesuch, likely to bring the Lovecraft estate down on me like a ton of bricks?
posted by Artw
on Aug 26, 2008 -
7 answers
Is it possible for cc-licensed content to be un-cc'ed? That is, relicensed under a more severe license. As far as I know, Creative Commons is forever, but I just wanted to make sure.
posted by Tlogmer
on Jul 10, 2008 -
11 answers
If I buy an original piece of artwork, from the artist, without a written contract, who owns the copyright?
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posted by nomisxid
on Mar 24, 2008 -
13 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 by grahamux
on Mar 11, 2008 -
11 answers
Are there any copyright infringement issues to using a Rubber Stamp Image that I purchased on my website?
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posted by karyys
on Feb 27, 2008 -
17 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 by jytsai
on Dec 17, 2007 -
11 answers
How tough are copyrights on website design and content, if a client asks you to re-use content?
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posted by fijiwriter
on Dec 12, 2007 -
10 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 by Pinwheel
on Oct 17, 2007 -
24 answers
Cover songs, legal vs. practical: Is the requirement for a mechanical license ever enforced, especially for covers distributed for free over the internet?
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posted by advil
on Feb 17, 2007 -
4 answers
I am very familiar with Lawrence Lessig and his writings, particularly on copyright, but I thought it would only be fair to look at the other side. So, who are the biggest US names in pro-copyright/anti-Lessig law?
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posted by evadery
on Nov 29, 2006 -
10 answers
Is it possible to find out details pertaining to, or resulting from copyright lawsuits?
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posted by psyward
on Nov 16, 2006 -
12 answers
If Microsoft pays Universal music 1.00 for each Zune sold, to help them recoup losses due to piracy, does that mean that I can put any Universal music I want on the device?
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posted by stupidcomputernickname
on Nov 10, 2006 -
14 answers
How can I learn about intellectual property law before I go to law school?
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posted by brett
on Oct 10, 2006 -
13 answers
What is the copyright status of works derived from the Cthulhu Mythos? more specifically, could someone just put out their own book, movie or comic extending the Mythos (and using shared characters) or would they have to get permission and pay someone first?
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posted by Artw
on May 24, 2006 -
24 answers
I have some copyright and trademark questions for the fine folks at AskMe. Ok, so I run this online t-shirt store and I had a design based on
Godzilla playing the drums. I know some of the Godzilla movies had passed into the public domain, so I just assumed (or perhaps hoped) that would place my design firmly into fair use territory. Welp, I got a cease and desist from the folks that own the trademark and copyright on Godzilla, so I was just hoping to find out more about my options here.
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posted by Jezztek
on May 9, 2006 -
27 answers
I'm considering writing a book about game systems in the 80's and would like to be able to include screenshots of many of the games. What do I need to do to be able to include those screenshots without being sued? Does this fall under the copyright law's "fair use"? Does the fact that they are older games make any difference? Apologies if this has been asked before - I couldn't find anything related to publishing game screenshots.
posted by aceyprime
on May 4, 2006 -
9 answers
Where can I find clear and direct laws regarding the playback of backed-up music at a place of business in the United States?
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posted by Dean Keaton
on Apr 19, 2006 -
25 answers
Is an email "Cease and Desist" letter a legal notification? I have been under the impression that a piece of paper, duly sworn, sweared and served was required.
New York, civil matter. Yes, I know your not my lawyer.
posted by cedar
on Apr 10, 2006 -
14 answers
How would I go about licensing hundreds of TV commercials for sale as a repackaged product?
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posted by scottreynen
on Jan 17, 2006 -
9 answers
A project of mine has inovlved me creating a number of Sudoku puzzles. What is my position with regards to copyright? I have created, from scratch, a program that builds Sudoku grids. I don't actually build the grids myself, my program does. Do I still hold copyright on the generated grids?
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posted by gaby
on Oct 15, 2005 -
22 answers
Second year law student wants to write a paper about alternatives to traditional copyright, i.e. copyleft, creative commons.
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posted by whatitis
on Sep 3, 2005 -
5 answers
