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What is the Public Domain?

What is the Public Domain?

by Kelley Way | Jan 1, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trademarks

Happy Public Domain Day! As of today, everything published in 1928 enters the public domain and is free for anyone to use. The most famous work to enter the public domain this year is probably Steamboat Willie, the Disney film introducing Mickey and Minnie Mouse to...
Estate Planning Horror Stories: Celebrity Edition

Estate Planning Horror Stories: Celebrity Edition

by Kelley Way | Oct 2, 2023 | Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property, Trademarks

It’s been a long time since I last posted on estate planning horror stories that affect contemporary celebrities.  An update is long overdue, so let me share what’s been happening in some of the estates I discussed in my previous article. After five years...
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Blog Post Archives

Recent Blog Posts

  • 5 Reasons Why Making a Will Can Be So Hard
  • FAQ: Why Does Copyright Expire?
  • Kelley Way’s Top Blog Posts for 2025
  • More on Copyright and AI
  • Who Are My Heirs?
  • Recent Estate Planning Horror Stories
  • What Happens to My Copyright When I Sign a Publishing Contract?
  • Do I Need a New Trust After I Get Married?
  • Copyright vs. Trademark (What’s the Difference?)
  • 3 More Copyright Myths You Should Know
  • How Can I Disinherit My Kid?
  • Will My Child’s Inheritance Cost Them Their Disability Benefits?
  • Should I Register A Trademark On My Book Title?
  • When Can I Use Quotes in My Book?
  • Does My 18-Year-Old Need An Estate Plan?
  • What Do I Do With Firearms in an Estate?
  • 3 Copyright Myths
  • How Do I Transfer Rights to My Kindle Direct Publishing Account After My Death?
  • Do I Really Need a Lawyer to Draft My Estate Plan?
  • Can AI Content Be Copyrighted?

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About

Kelley Way is a California attorney practicing estate planning, copyright, and trademark law. She helps her clients

  • Protect their assets from infringers, avoidable litigation, and unnecessary taxes;
  • Provide for their loved ones during and after their lifetime; and
  • Make solid plans for a secure future.

To learn more about how Kelley can help you, please contact her to schedule an appointment.

Office Hours

 Monday – Friday

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Office is closed during National Holidays

Phone: (925) 357-8845
Fax: (925) 357-8846
kaway@kawaylaw.com

150 N. Wiget Lane #210
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

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Recent Posts

FAQ: Why Does Copyright Expire?

On January 1, all the works published in 1930 entered the public domain, meaning their copyrights have expired and everyone can use these works without asking permission first. Of course, anytime...
Read More

5 Reasons Why Making a Will Can Be So Hard

Exploring the Emotional Barriers to Estate Planning According to multiple surveys, over half the American population does not have a will or trust (the exact number varies depending on the survey,...
Read More

Kelley Way’s Top Blog Posts for 2025

Happy holidays, friends! As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to share my favorite blog posts from the year. Whether you’re a writer, creator, or planning for the future, these posts cover estate planning,...
Read More

More on Copyright and AI

How your content might find itself in a training database I recently attended a writers conference, and a hot topic among attendees was copyrights and AI. However, they weren’t asking about the...
Read More

Who Are My Heirs?

Who Inherits Without a Will It has recently come to my attention that people don’t actually know who would inherit from them if they died without a will or trust.  I’m so well steeped in estate...
Read More

Recent Estate Planning Horror Stories

Halloween is around the corner, and what better time is there to go over celebrity estate plans gone wrong? So, grab your popcorn and sit back for a lesson on how some recently departed celebrities...
Read More

What Happens to My Copyright When I Sign a Publishing Contract?

You’ve been offered a publishing contract – congratulations! But then the doubt creeps in. Is this really a good idea? What if they decide they don’t like me? What if they decide they don’t like my...
Read More

Do I Need a New Trust After I Get Married?

Most people know that they need a new trust after a divorce. But what happens when they get married? Do they need to create a new one if they already have a trust? Let's dive into the question: Do I...
Read More

Copyright vs. Trademark (What’s the Difference?)

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to copyrights vs. trademarks. I’ll have prospects say they want a trademark when they actually mean a copyright. Or they want a copyright, and it becomes...
Read More

3 More Copyright Myths You Should Know

My previous article on copyright myths proved to be a hit, so I’m following it up with three more myths related to copyright: If it’s online, it’s free to use This myth is pervasive. It’s so easy to...
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