car payments

I m making payments on a car and i fell behind with the car payments. they tell me now that if i dont pay 1700.00 there going to reposse my car i told them i could make the payment of 850.00 but they said no and there sending someone to take the car can they do that even after i make a payment?

Movie rights.

If a studio produced a movie in 1982, does it still own the rights in say 20 years? Is there a time limit on the rights to a movie? I'm asking this because I would like to do a reproduction or even a sequel. What would need to be done if the rights are still owned by the studio?

Abandoned trademarks

Can anyone use a trademark that has been abandoned and idle for several years?

trademark phrase or tag line

What does it cost to trademark a phrase used in a business advertising and is there a limit on how many.

Can they publish that?

I submitted an incomplete, early draft of an op-ed to a non-profit that I belong to, to be considered for publishing. The draft was sent back with suggestions for edits. I never made the edits, and never signed a release allowing the article to be published.

I was shocked to find the article had been edited, published, and distributed in a national journal without my approval AND without my bibliography.

Is this a violation of my intellectual property rights? What legal options do I have? Am I at risk for perceived plagiarism because my bibliography was not included? Can I ask for monetary compensation, even though the journal was distributed for free?

Use of terminology: patented versus patent pending

Is it alloawable to claim in marketing literature that something is ''patented'' when a patent filing has been made, but not granted?

Trademarks

I have a phrase that I would like to put on t-shirts, coffee cups, etc. I am fairly certain it is an original phrase. Should I trademark the phrase ? If so, how do I go about doing so ?

Photos of buildings

I live in a historical area and take pictures of old buildings and businesses that has been around for more than 50 years. What do I have to do to sell them legally. If I sell them at an art show is that considered publishing or publicizing and do I have to sell them printed on paper only or can I put them on another medium.

Trademarking for Business

I am just starting out on (hopefully) forming an online business. I design Tshirts. Just wondering the best way to go about Trademarking my brand. Also, do I need to protect my designs or would they be covered under the brand trademark?

Trademarking

I am just starting out on (hopefully) forming an online business. I design Tshirts. Just wondering the best way to go about Trademarking my brand. Also, do I need to protect my designs or would they be covered under the brand trademark?

Right to use research process

I am doing some consulting in the area of market research and have purchased some business books from one source that goes into a series of best practices and methods they have developed. They say they have some patented information but do not spell what is and what is not. Am I allowed to read the books and apply the practices taught there? I am willing to site the books as the source of the methods? Or can i not use these methods for fear of being sued. The methods are on what types of questions to ask and research formats to follow. step 1, step 2 etc. Am I free to use the knowledge? The book is written has sort of a how to. But at the same time mention they have patented methods.

Thanks for your help.

New Website Idea Need some guidance

I have a new website idea. I am not an internet savy person. I need to know if I should start by securing a domain name and getting a quick, inexpensive site up and running or should I consult an attorney. If so, what will we discuss and what are some potential pitfalls I need to protect myself from. Do I incorporate? How do I protect my ideas and my site's concept? Are there any attorneys that specialize in this field?

Legality of Free Promotional Mix C.D.'s

Hello All,

I am an event coordinator for a music festival which happens at a major public university. As a promotional tool for the event we wanted to release a freely distributed ''mixtape'' C.D. which would feature remixed music from several genres. Is it legal to distribute these C.D.'s freely, or does the music have to be licensed or permission have to be obtained from property rights holder?

We would distribute approx. 1,000 of these exclusively on campus with ''Promotional Only'' labels on them. We can restrict content to ''radio singles'' only if that makes a difference.

The University does pay all the licensing firms royalties for public broadcasting, does this fall under that umbrella?

In your opinion, what legalities would enable or disable us to follow through with this idea?

new idea

I have an idea for a new product. How do I make sure when i go to manufactures and financial resources they will not steal my idea? Do I need to obtain copy right or patent for it ?

giving credit where credit is due

I have extensively searched this site but I have not found what I'm looking for. So here goes..... I would like to create a greeting card line using my own illustrations on the front cover. On the inside, I'd like to use lyrics (one liners) from songs as the ''message'' inside the card. As part of the cards appeal, I'd like to provide the song name, artist name, album and year on the card as well.

If they are just one liners (inspirational or expressive NOT the songs hook or chorus - example: the inside of a card would say ''Sit back and let the evening go'' from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band) do I need to obtain a license? Would I need to obtain a license if I didn't quote the artist/song/album etc. and just use lyrics which appear to be everyday phrases?

AND, lastly, if I do need a license, how am I supposed to obtain rights to use these phrases from literally hundreds of musicians? Do I obtain these individually? Is there a ''blanket'' license I can obtain? I'm sooooo confused!

Thank you in advance for all your wisdom!

right to photograph

I have a photo studio. Can I place a photographer in a public place, like in front of the Empire State Building ask passers-by if I can take their picture, then give them a card to find and buy that picture online. Do I need a vending licence? permission from the city, permission from the owners of the Empire State Building? Please advise. Thanks, Stephen

Servicemark - Allegation of Use Applic.

I have filed an application for a servicemark for my environmental consulting business using the USPTO online application process. My company is Ecosystems First LLC, and I have a logo I made using my own artwork with the wording: ''Why We Do'' ''What We Do.'' I have filled out the Allegation of Use form (I can email the page to you with all the information), but this time they are asking for the name of my attorney. I also have paid for the use of three applications, stationary, shirts, and cups (examples attached to online application). Do you have a referral for anyone who can represent this issue? Even though the majority of the work is done I am willing to pay for representation.

Copyright

Is it legal to use a part (less than 10 seconds) of a TV shows theme song on a for- profit audio cd?

Music Rights

I have started making Photo Stories (slideshow videos of Photos) for people. As part of the service I include music, generally from a popular song from within 30 years or so. They are added to the Slideshow. If it is music in my library, what legal issues do I need to be aware of? If I have the individual supply the music with their pictures, would that change things? Thanks.

incarceration

If I was illegaly put in jail with a bond of that I do not even have been aware of with out my knowledge. Is there a way to get these things undone with the help of a lawyer/