Attorney Steve® Blog

INTRODUCTION For celebrities, entertainers, influencers, and other public figures, their name, image, likeness, voice, and overall identity often represent their most valuable assets. These rights are commonly referred to as Name-Image-Likeness (NIL) rights or publicity rights, and they allow individuals to control how their identity is used in commercial settings.

Vondran Legal®—Internet and IP Law—Removing personal and private information from online platforms.  The Wayback Machine. Call us at (877) 276-5084 to discuss. Protect Your Privacy and Intellectual Property Online The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is one of the largest digital archives i...

Vondran Legal- Nationwide Software Infringement Defense Law Firm - we have handled over 1,000 software piracy claims since 2004.  Call us at (877) 276-5084. Introduction Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks continues to actively enforce its software copyrights across the United States. In a series of...

INTRODUCTION The American Law Institute (ALI) recently completed its Restatement of the Law, Copyright, a nearly decade-long project intended to guide courts in areas of copyright law where judicial discretion is broad. While ALI Restatements have historically focused on common law subjects such as torts and contracts, this marked the first time the organization attempted to restate a comprehensive federal statutory scheme like copyright.

ATTORNEY STEVE® – CALL US IF YOU NEED HELP WITH A TRADEMARK CANCELLATION, FRAUD CLAIM, OR LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION DISPUTE – (877) 276-5084. INTRODUCTION In a recent TTAB decision, a federal trademark registration covering bicycle goods was cancelled on multiple grounds including likelihood of c...

ATTORNEY STEVE® – CALL US IF YOU NEED HELP WITH A TRADEMARK CANCELLATION, GENERICIDE DEFENSE, OR TTAB PROCEEDING – (877) 276-5084.   INTRODUCTION The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board recently cancelled long-standing federal registrations for the terms SUPER HEROand SUPER HEROES, once jointly o...

Vondran Legal® Social Media Independent Journalist Legal Services—Helping creators SAFELY post quality videos!  Call us at (877) 276-5084 for fair use opinion letters, content licensing agreements, DMCA disputes, and other intellectual property matters involving copyright, trade secrets, rights o...

INTRODUCTION Building a brand is one of the most important investments a business, creator, or entrepreneur can make. Your brand name, logo, slogan, or product identity is often what customers recognize and trust. Without proper trademark protection, that investment is exposed to copycats, disputes, and costly rebranding.

If you work in film, television, digital media, music, or the influencer economy, you have probably signed contracts that contain mandatory arbitration clauses. These clauses often require disputes to be handled privately through JAMS or the American Arbitration Association (AAA). When a disagreement arises over payment, credits, exclusivity, delivery, rights ownership, or licensing terms, arbitration can determine the outcome quickly and confidentially.

INTRODUCTION  If you create or use architectural plans, understanding how copyright law works is critical. Home-plans are reused far more often than many assume. Builders may reuse design drawings without approval. Homeowners may hand drawings to new contractors. Competitors may replicate layouts or stylistic elements. Copyright protection gives designers the tools to assert rights and stop unauthorized reuse.

INTRODUCTION  Thinking about making a film, series, podcast or book based on a real person? In California you cannot just roll the cameras and hope for the best. True story projects can trigger right of publicity issues, invasion of privacy claims, defamation lawsuits and a long list of legal headaches that can shut a production down fast.

INTRODUCTION Audi of America is an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., which enforces the trademark rights of Audi.  AUDI® and AUDI FOUR RINGS LOGO® are registered trademarks that they will enforce.  They also have trade dress rights in the distinctive overall appearance of the Audio Automobiles.

INTRODUCTION Reaction videos are everywhere. Whether it is a YouTuber breaking down a music video, a streamer commenting on a movie trailer, or a TikTok creator responding to viral clips, audiences love watching people react in real time. It feels spontaneous and authentic. But behind that enter...

INTRODUCTION While it’s true that people can legally record others in many public places, posting that footage online without consent is a different story. Once a video hits YouTube, it can spread fast, sometimes exposing private details, faces, or locations that were never meant to go public. That’s where YouTube’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines step in. The platform prohibits content that reveals personal information or shows someone in a way that could cause embarrassment, distress, or harm.

INTRODUCTION Social media has transformed how brands advertise and how audiences consume promotional content. Influencers now play a central role in shaping consumer behavior, but with that influence comes legal accountability. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have developed framewo...

INTRODUCTION The Olympics may celebrate unity and competition, but they also bring an avalanche of trademark and copyright enforcement. Every four years, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) gears up for more than just sports; it ramps up legal enforcement. From small gyms to clothing brands to influencers, businesses are often surprised to learn that even phrases like “Go for the Gold” or “Team USA” can trigger serious legal issues.

INTRODUCTION Artificial intelligence is changing the creative world faster than the law can keep up. Artists, designers, and meme creators are now using AI tools to brainstorm, illustrate, and even finish parts of their work. But the Copyright Office has drawn a hard line. Only the parts created by a human being can be protected.

INTRODUCTION The entertainment industry continues to fight back against digital piracy, and courts are responding with some of the toughest copyright penalties in recent years. In Amazon Content Services LLC et al. v. Zachary Adam-Lane DeBarr et al., several major studios took legal action against the operators of Outer Limits IPTV...

INTRODUCTION The gaming industry has evolved into one of the most competitive and profitable entertainment markets in the world. As games become more advanced, developers invest heavily in anti-cheat technology to protect their platforms from unauthorized code and unfair gameplay...

INTRODUCTION Cover songs have become a popular way for musicians, YouTubers, and other creators to grow their audiences and connect with fans. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram make it easier than ever to share creative performances of well-known songs...

INTRODUCTION In the ongoing battle between Hollywood studios and online piracy platforms, Paramount Pictures Corporation et al. v. PrimeWire stands out as a decisive legal victory for content owners. The case involved a popular streaming website accused of providing millions of users with unauth...

BACKGROUND In Amazon.com, Inc. and Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Jing et al., Nintendo and Amazon teamed up to protect their intellectual property and consumers from counterfeiters selling fake Nintendo products online. The dispute centers on the popular amiibo toy line, collectible figurines that connect wirelessly to Nintendo consoles such as the Nintendo Switch. These figurines allow players to unlock new characters, abilities, and other in-game features...

INTRODUCTION Online streaming has become one of the most common ways people watch television and sports. Unfortunately, it has also become one of the most common ways copyright infringement takes place. The case of DISH Network L.L.C. v. DOES (2023) shows how the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) can be used to protect...

Vondran Legal® - Content Creation & Copyright Infringement Law.  Call us at (877) 276-5084 to discuss DMCA takedown demands in your case. Introduction - who is Vobile? Vobile is a SaaS / technology company that provides copyright protection, content identification, monetization, and enforce...

Many video creators know the frustration of receiving a bogus DMCA takedown. Whether you're a YouTuber, podcaster, or small business owner (ex. on Etsy), one false claim can knock your content offline, cost you money, frustration, and damage your brand/reputation. The good news? There's a legal r...