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Kelley Way has been creating blog posts across many topics of Estate Planning, Copyright and Trademark law. If you have a topic or question you’d like covered, reach out to Kelley Way here.
Seven Things to Know About the Copyright Small Claims Court
The Copyright Small Claims Court is Now Open! It’s been a long time coming, but the Copyright Claims Board is finally up and running, and copyright owners with small claims can now file them for consideration. For those who missed my previous article on the subject,...
What Should I Put in My Trust?
One of the most frequent questions I hear at the trust signing is “What should I put in my trust?” It’s an excellent question, and the answer is a bit more complicated than “Everything.” The house is a given. For many people it’s their highest-value asset, and if it’s...
What Rights Do Foreign Works Have? Using Foreign Works in Your Book
I’ve had several people ask me about works that were copyrighted and/or published in other countries, and whether these foreign works have rights in the U.S. If they do have rights, are those rights different from those of U.S. works? The answer is the classic lawyer...
What Happens If I Die and I Don’t Have a Will or Trust?
Most people I talk to know that they should have a will or trust, but they’re not quite sure why. Perhaps more importantly, they wonder what happens if they die and they don’t have a will or trust? To be clear, dying without a will does not mean chaos and confusion...
When Should I Copyright My Work?
I am often asked, when should I copyright my work? Whether you have authored a book or created a piece of art, the good news is that you automatically have copyright. Specifically, as soon as the work is "fixed" (i.e. written down, recorded or in some other format...
3 Reasons to Register Your Copyright
Believe it or not, you do not need to register your work with the Copyright Office in order to have protection. You possess a copyright as soon as you complete any work that is copyrightable (such as a novel, painting, song, or video). However, it is still a very good...
When Should I Update My Will or Trust?
A number of current and potential clients have asked me some great questions about their will or trust. For example: When should I update my will or trust? Once the document is signed, how long is it good for? At what point does it have to be revised? There is no one...
Can I Use a Trademark in My Book?
The question: Can I use a trademark in my book, has come up several times recently in conversations with clients, so here are some guidelines for using someone else’s trademark. As a general rule, it’s fine to use someone else’s trademark in your writing. Most brand...
Should I Be Worried About my Parent Part 2: Red flags for undue influence
Should I Be Worried About my Parent Part 2: Red flags for undue influence Last month I talked about how many people lose their mental abilities as they get older. Another unfortunate truth is that older people are often targets for financial abuse. Some people will...