From review of USPTO records, Microsoft's registration for MIDTOWN MADNESS (for video games in class 9 and online information about in in class 41) was issued on 2000, renewed in 2010, but cancelled in 2020 for failure to renew.

In 2024, Reef Entertainment Limited (UK) filed to... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 30, 2026

I’m Kyle Kinzy. I am licensed in Texas and Illinois. I am not licensed in Utah. You should hire an attorney licensed in Utah for all the state-specific issues. I am not your attorney. This post does not create an attorney-client relationship and is for informational purposes only.... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 30, 2026

I’m Kyle Kinzy. I’ve spent over 25 years practicing law, and while my boots are usually on the ground in Texas, much of music law and federal copyright are universal languages across state lines. In Bellingham, you’ve got a vibrant scene, but the "business" side of music can feel... View More

Yes. Under US law, the author of a creative work such as a photograph has the right to control the copying and use of their work by others. This is true whether or not the work is formally registered with the US Copyright Office.

A demand letter is typically the first step in enforcing... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 30, 2026

I’m Kyle Kinzy. I’ve spent over 20 years navigating the sharp corners of contract law in both Texas and Illinois, and I can tell you that when a tech company hands a "hacker" a contract after the cat is already out of the bag, they are often trying to close a door that’s already... View More

Your NSF grant does not automatically let you use movie clips or other copyrighted media. The materials you can usually use without extra paperwork are your own content, public-domain works, U.S. government works, and media with a license that clearly allows your use. Movie clips and most... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 13, 2026

Hello. I am Kyle Kinzy. I have spent nearly 30 years navigating the intersection of federal law and business for entrepreneurs and educators in Texas. When you are operating under an NSF (National Science Foundation) grant, you are dealing with two masters: federal copyright law and the specific... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Apr 8, 2026

Hello. I am Kyle Kinzy. As a seasoned attorney with nearly 30 years of practice, I’ve spent decades navigating the intersections of business and the law for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Texas and Illinois. While my practice often focuses on federal matters like immigration and... View More

Kyle M Kinzy Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 26, 2026

Hello! I’m Kyle Kinzy. While I’ve spent a significant part of my career helping entrepreneurs and small businesses in Illinois and Texas to navigate everything from non-disclosure agreements, licensing agreements, franchise agreements, or other IP agreements to commercial litigation about the... View More

Utility patents, design patents, and copyrights all protect different aspects of intellectual property. Utility patents cover the structure or function of a product, or the steps in a process. Utility patents may require several years to obtain, and require periodic maintenance fees paid to the... View More

In California, it is illegal to use the "likeness" of someone for commercial profit without their permission, and it certainly seems based on your facts here that is what has happened. The first step is to send a cease and desist letter that clearly outlines the legal violations being... View More

A realistic assessment of the risk of litigation involves many factors - some legal, some financial, and some individual. On the legal side, the several factors addressed under Sleekcraft are highly fact-dependent, and will vary depending on the circumstances of the case. Generally, however,... View More

If you are planning to sell in the U.S., it is wise to pursue both trademark and copyright protection. You probably want to apply for a trademark registration for the name of the game, and if there is a stylized logo, possibly that as well. There are multiple aspects of the game for which you can... View More

US trademark and copyright registrations provide and/or formalize rights within the jurisdiction of the United States. Therefore, they will allow you to protect against copying and confusion for activities within the US. For brand names, logos, and other identifiers, trademark registrations allow... View More

The answer to this question is highly fact-specific. Using AI to generate an image that purposefully looks like another's work (i.e., copying) may be infringement, just as using traditional tools would. Using AI to generate an original image incorporating another's characters or other... View More

Can the authors sue? This is something that defamation attorneys could address best, but your question remains open for a week, and it comes up under "Personal Injury." The textbook answer in tort law is that a plaintiff could sue if they can show a false statement, publication of the... View More

Domain names cannot be copyrighted unless you don't want anyone to know what they are or access your site, which is counterproductive.

Trademark is the area of law that intersects with domain names. Generally speaking, if someone has registered a trademark, they can pursue action... View More

Because you’re a minor, I would say the first and foremost step here is talking with a parent or guardian.

DMCA notices and counter-notices require sworn statements, full contact information, and acceptance of legal risk (including, of course, the risk of being being sued by the target of... View More

Authorship and copyright ownership are two separate things. They are decided in different ways. For example, a copyright may be sold outright and passed around as the intellectual property it is. It would be absurd for a person or organization to purchase the right to authorship, to put their name... View More

Congratulations on getting this far with your book, that’s exciting, and it’s smart to think about protecting your work as you start sharing chapters.

The short answer is that, yes, you can register an unfinished manuscript, but the registration only covers the exact text you submit... View More