Expert: Shannon Moore - 11/17/2009

Question
Hi Shannon!  I've searched multiple search engines and visited the US Patent & Trademark office sight, but am having difficulty if finding if a specific QUOTE is available for use.  (I've found answers pertaining to symbols and products, but nothing on quotations.)  I'd be most grateful if you could steer me in the right direction to research this.  Many thanks! Nancy

Answer
Dear Nancy,

That sounds like it might be more of a copyright issue depending on the quote.

To search copyright records, go here: http://www.copyright.gov/records/

"Under the fair use doctrine of the U.S. copyright statute, it is permissible to use limited portions of a work including quotes, for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, and scholarly reports. There are no legal rules permitting the use of a specific number of words, a certain number of musical notes, or percentage of a work. Whether a particular use qualifies as fair use depends on all the circumstances. See FL 102, Fair Use"

http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html - Link to Flyer 102, Fair Use

Hope this helps! Please let me know if I can assist you with any other questions.

Warmest regards,
Shannon Moore
http://www.tmexpress.com
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