Licensing Lawyers for Chicago, Illinois

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Meet some of our Chicago Licensing Lawyers

Richard P. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
July 14, 2020
Octavia P. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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5.0 (2)
Member Since:
January 30, 2021

Octavia P.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
19 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL NY
The John Marshall Law School

I am a business law attorney with over 15 years’ experience and a strong background in information technology. I am a graduate of the University of California Berkeley, a member of the Illinois bar, New York bar and a licensed lawyer (Solicitor) of England and Wales. I actively partner directly with my clients or indirectly, as Of Counsel, to boutique law firms to streamline business practices and manage legal risks by focusing on essentials such as - business contracts, corporate structure, employment/independent contractor agreements, website terms and policies, IP, technology, and commercial related agreements as well as business risk and compliance guidance.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Octavia P. is very responsive and knowledgeable. She was able to make changes for me in less than a day, and was able to make adjustments and changes as needed."

Talin H. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
July 29, 2021
Melissa G. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
August 5, 2021

Melissa G.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL DC, MI, OH
University of Michigan

I provide practical, plain-English legal guidance to solopreneurs and small businesses who want to build strong foundations and make informed decisions with confidence. With 20+ years of experience—including 16 years in-house advising senior and executive leaders—I bring the insight of a trusted legal partner who understands how legal strategy supports long-term business growth. My clients walk away feeling supported, seen, and empowered. They know I genuinely care about their success and bring more than just legal knowledge—I bring a coach’s mindset, a problem-solver’s lens, and a commitment to helping them protect what they’ve worked hard to build. Whether you’re reviewing contracts, forming your business, protecting your brand, or need ongoing legal support, I’m here to deliver clear, actionable guidance and solutions that fit your business.

Daliah S. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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5.0 (1)
Member Since:
September 1, 2021

Daliah S.

Principal Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
22 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
University of Illinois College of Law

Daliah Saper operates a cutting-edge internet and social media law practice that regularly leads local and national media outlets to solicit her commentary on emerging internet law issues involving cyberbullying, sexting, catfishing, revenge porn, anonymous online defamation, domain name and user-name squatting, privacy, and the latest business decisions made by social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. As a litigator Daliah represents companies bringing or defending business and intellectual property disputes. (She has argued cases in a number of jurisdictions including taking a case all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court.) As a transactional lawyer she helps clients choose the right business entity, drafts contracts and licensing agreements, advises on sweepstakes and contest rules, and ensures website terms of use and privacy policies are compliant, and provides comprehensive trademark and copyright counseling. Since founding Saper Law Offices in 2005, Daliah has been named a 40 Under 40 by Law Bulletin Publishing Co., a top Media & Advertising attorney by Super Lawyers Magazine 14 years in a row, and has been repeatedly recognized as a leading media and entertainment lawyer by Chambers and Partners. For the past eleven years, she also has taught entertainment and social media law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Excellent! I couldn't be more satisfied with their professionalism and prompt service."

Michael B. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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4.9 (34)
Member Since:
October 30, 2020

Michael B.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Illinois
16 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL MN, WI
University of the Pacific

Michael has extensive experience advising companies from start-ups to established publicly-traded companies . He has represented businesses in a wide array of fields IT consulting, software solutions, web design/ development, financial services, SaaS, data storage, and others. Areas of expertise include contract drafting and negotiation, terms of use, business structuring and funding, company and employee policies, general transactional issues as well as licensing and regulatory compliance. His prior experience before entering private practice includes negotiating sales contracts for a Fortune 500 healthcare company, as well as regulatory compliance contracts for a publicly traded dental manufacturer. Mr. Brennan firmly believes that every business deserves a lawyer that is both responsive and dependable, and he strives to provide that type of service to every client.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Very thorough with reviewing our contract and making the appropriate suggestions. Quick response time and very professional."

T. Phillip B. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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4.8 (5)
Member Since:
August 10, 2021

T. Phillip B.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Illinois
30 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
Drake University Law School

Attorney creating plans and strategies to help individuals create, build, protect and pass on wealth.

Recent  ContractsCounsel Client  Review:
5.0

"Very knowledgeable, helpful and responsive, does comprehensive work on short notice. I would recommend and work with again."

Dillon N. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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Member Since:
July 13, 2020

Dillon N.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago, IL
11 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL KY
University of Kentucky College of Law

My practice has involved a wide range of legal matters from commercial real estate, finance and international business transactions to litigation matters including commercial disputes, real estate, employment, and medical malpractice. Proficient in Spanish, I graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law, the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, and the University of Southern California. Prior to my legal career, I sought diverse professional experiences. After graduating from college, I orchestrated my own volunteering experience in southern Peru with a small non-profit organization. Later I gained valuable professional experience as part of a U.S. Senate campaign, and after that I joined the public policy team at Greater Louisville, Inc., Louisville's Chamber of Commerce affiliate. Prior to law school, I embarked on a month long excursion with the Northern Outdoor Leadership School in Alaska, which gave me a new found appreciation for sustainability.

Samantha B. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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Member Since:
April 15, 2021

Samantha B.

Principal and Founder
Free Consultation
Chicago
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL FL
Ave Maria School of Law

Samantha has focused her career on developing and implementing customized compliance programs for SEC, CFTC, and FINRA regulated organizations. She has worked with over 100 investment advisers, alternative asset managers (private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, etc.), and broker-dealers, with assets under management ranging from several hundred million to several billion dollars. Samantha has held roles such as Chief Compliance Officer and Interim Chief Compliance Officer for SEC-registered investment advisory firms, “Of Counsel” for law firms, and has worked for various securities compliance consulting firms. Samantha founded Coast to Coast Compliance to make a meaningful impact on clients’ businesses overall, by enhancing or otherwise creating an exceptional and customized compliance program and cultivating a strong culture of compliance. Coast to Coast Compliance provides proactive, comprehensive, and independent compliance solutions, focusing primarily on project-based deliverables and various ongoing compliance pain points for investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other financial services firms.

Pritesh P. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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Member Since:
April 19, 2021
Daniel R. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
View Daniel
Member Since:
July 1, 2021

Daniel R.

Managing Attorney
Free Consultation
Chicago
13 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL
Gonzaga School of Law

Daniel is an experienced corporate attorney and works closely with corporations, privately held companies, high-net worth individuals, family offices, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Daniel graduated from the Gonzaga University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Illinois.

Gerald W. - Licensing Lawyer in Chicago, Illinois
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Member Since:
August 28, 2021

Gerald W.

Attorney
Free Consultation
Round Rock, Texas
12 Yrs Experience
Licensed in IL TX
Valparaiso University School of Law

My clients know me as more than just an attorney. First and foremost, my background is much broader than that. Prior to attending the Valparaiso University School of Law, I earned a Master of Business Administration and ran a small business as a certified public accountant. Thanks to this experience, I possess unique insight which in turn allows me to better assist my clients with a wide range of business and tax matters today. In total, I have over 20 years of experience in financial management, tax law, and business consulting, and I’m proud to say that I’m utilizing the knowledge I’ve gained to assist the community of Round Rock in a variety of ways. In my current practice, I provide counsel to small to medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, and everyday individuals. Though my primary areas of practice are estate planning, elder law, business consulting, and tax planning, I pride myself on assisting my clients in a comprehensive manner. Whenever I take on a new client, I make an effort to get to know them on a personal level. This, of course, begins with listening. It is important that I fully understand their vision so I can help them successfully translate it into a concrete plan of action that meets their goals and expectations. I appreciate the individual attributes of each client and know firsthand that thoughtful, creative, and customized planning can maximize both financial security and personal happiness. During my time as a certified public accountant, I cultivated an invaluable skill set. After all, while my legal education has given me a deep understanding of tax law, I would not be the tax attorney I am today without my background in accounting. Due to my far-reaching experience, I am competent in unraveling even the most complex tax mysteries and disputes. My CPA training benefits my estate planning practice, too. In the process of drafting comprehensive wills and trusts, I carefully account for every asset and plan for any tax burdens that may arise, often facilitating a much smoother inheritance for the heirs of my clients. Prior to becoming certified as a CPA, I made sure to establish a solid foundation in business both in and out of the classroom, and the acumen I’ve attained has served me well. Not only am I better able to run my own practice than I otherwise would be; I am able to help other small business owners fulfill their dreams, as well.

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Licensing Legal Questions and Answers

Licensing

Photography Licence Agreement

Maryland

Asked on Aug 19, 2025

Can a photographer transfer the rights to their photos to a client through a Photography License Agreement?

I am a professional photographer and I recently received a request from a client to transfer the rights to the photos I took for them. I want to understand if it is legally possible to transfer these rights through a Photography License Agreement, as I am unsure about the specific terms and conditions that need to be included in such an agreement to ensure a smooth and legal transfer of the rights.

Randy M.

Answered Sep 6, 2025

Yes, you can transfer rights to your photos, but the type of agreement you use determines what rights the client actually receives. A standard Photography License Agreement typically gives the client permission to use your photos under defined terms while you retain ownership of the copyright. If your client is asking for full ownership, that requires something more: a written copyright assignment. Licensing vs. Copyright Transfer When you license your photos, you’re giving the client a right to use them for specific purposes—say, for a website, in print ads, or across social media. You still own the images and can license them to others unless the license is exclusive. A license can be narrow or broad. For example, you might grant a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license for all commercial uses, or limit it to a single use in a single country for one year. Everything depends on the terms you set. This is the most common arrangement in freelance photography because it preserves your ability to earn future income from the same work. Transferring the copyright, on the other hand, means giving up your legal ownership altogether. The client becomes the new copyright owner and gains the exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, modify, or even re-license the work. You can no longer use or sell the photos yourself unless you retain certain rights in the agreement. A copyright transfer must be in writing and signed by you under 17 U.S.C. § 204(a). If the client wants full ownership, you either need a standalone Copyright Assignment Agreement or include a clearly written assignment clause in your contract. Key Clauses for Either Option Regardless of whether you're licensing or assigning rights, your agreement should be explicit about what’s being granted. First, clarify the scope of rights by identifying what the client can and cannot do with the images. List permitted uses such as commercial, editorial, or personal, as well as the geographic territory, time limits if any, and whether the client may modify or sublicense the photos. Next, define the compensation structure, whether it is a flat fee, based on royalties, or conditional on specific uses. Then address any rights you intend to retain. For example, even in a full copyright assignment, you might include a license-back clause that allows you to use the images in your portfolio, marketing materials, or for competition entries. Don’t overlook technical details. List exactly what the client will receive: number of photos, file formats, resolution, editing level, and delivery method. If you're not providing RAW files, say so. If delivery is contingent on payment, make that clear too. Red Flags and Special Situations Be cautious about contracts that include “work for hire” language. Under U.S. law, a freelance photographer’s work doesn’t qualify as a work for hire unless it meets specific statutory categories and there’s a written agreement that uses that exact term. Otherwise, you're the default copyright owner. Clients sometimes insert the "work for hire" clause by default, but agreeing to it without understanding the implications can strip you of your rights from the moment the photo is created. If you're considering a copyright transfer, ask yourself whether you’re comfortable never using those images again, even for your own marketing. If the answer is no, consider negotiating a broad license instead, or insist on a license-back provision. You can always charge more for a full transfer since you're giving up long-term control and potential revenue. And remember, copyright assignments are permanent unless otherwise stated. If the client doesn’t use the images or disappears, you don’t automatically get the rights back. You’d need to build in a reversion clause if you want the rights to return to you after a certain period or under certain conditions. If you're navigating a licensing agreement or copyright transfer and want legal guidance, the attorneys on Contracts Counsel can help you get it right.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Licensing

Intellectual Property License Agreement

California

Asked on Dec 12, 2024

Can I terminate an Intellectual Property License Agreement if the licensee is not fulfilling their obligations?

I am a software developer who entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement with a company to allow them to use my software in their products. However, the licensee has consistently failed to meet their obligations specified in the agreement, such as providing regular reports and paying the agreed-upon royalties. I am concerned about the potential damage to my reputation and the financial implications of their non-compliance. Can I terminate the agreement and revoke their license if they continue to neglect their obligations?

Dolan W.

Answered Dec 27, 2024

Hello! My name is Dolan and I'm happy to answer this question and I'm sorry to hear about your situation. The short answer to your question is that it depends very heavily on what's in the agreement. A well-drafted agreement would have information about what a party can do if the other party breaches the agreement. Here, you said they weren't providing regular reports or paying the royalties, which is a breach, but it does not automatically mean you have a right to terminate the agreement. What you can do for sure is threaten to sue. The reason is that this is a breach of contract. A breach of contract simply means that one party was obligated to perform and they have either not performed or have said that they will not perform. (Restatement (Second) of Contracts.) This applies regardless of whether the agreement was written or done orally. Typically, the aggrieved party is entitled to be returned to the same position they were in before the breach. What you could do in the interim is suspend any licensing of course; however, the more immediate option is to send a demand that they perform their obligations. Let us know if you have any other questions!

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Licensing

Professional Services Agreement

New York

Asked on Sep 28, 2021

Cease and Desist

I have received a cease and desisit a few months ago for procticing unlicensed massage. I have never done such. I am a Reiki Master Practitioner which has nothing to do with massage. Unbeknownst to me FL considers this massage!! This is ludacris. Whoever deemed Reiki as massage needs to do research. Now I've been placed into the National Practitioners Data base as a unlicensed massage therapist. I have no desire to practice massage. Please advise on how I can remedy this situation. Gratefully thankful for any direction.

Jane C.

Answered Oct 5, 2021

You will have to explain why the state of Florida is involved in this matter? I suggest you write a letter to National Practitioners Database to explain the matter clearly and provide proof of you licensing.

Read 1 attorney answer>

Licensing

Video License Agreement

Georgia

Asked on Mar 28, 2025

Does a Video License Agreement allow me to use licensed videos for commercial purposes?

I have recently come across a Video License Agreement for a collection of videos that I am interested in using for a project. However, I am unsure if this license permits me to use the videos for commercial purposes, such as incorporating them into a promotional video for a product I am selling. I want to make sure I am legally allowed to use these videos before proceeding with the purchase.

Jerome L.

Answered Apr 8, 2025

Hi there, Whether a Video License Agreement allows you to use the videos for commercial purposes depends entirely on the terms of the specific license. Not all video licenses are created equal, and the permitted uses can vary significantly. Here are a few key points to consider before proceeding: How to Know if Commercial Use is Allowed: Check for “Commercial Use” Language: The license should explicitly state whether commercial use is permitted. Look for terms like: “Commercial use allowed” “Use in advertising or promotional content” “Monetized projects” Distinguish Between License Types: Personal or Editorial Use: These usually do not permit use in product promotions or paid campaigns. Royalty-Free or Commercial Licenses: These often do permit business use, but always check the fine print. Watch for Restrictions or Limitations: Even if commercial use is allowed, some licenses limit: The number of views or distributions Modifications to the content Platforms where it can be used (e.g., online vs. broadcast) Exclusivity & Resale: Be sure the license does not prohibit derivative or promotional use if you are editing or combining clips. Also, resale or redistribution is usually not allowed unless specifically stated. Always Keep a Copy of the License Terms: If a dispute ever arises, having clear documentation of the license terms protects you legally. Before purchasing, I highly recommend reviewing the full agreement carefully or having an attorney take a look to ensure your intended use aligns with the license rights. If you would like assistance reviewing the agreement before you proceed, I would be happy to help. Best regards, Jerome Lucas Newell, Esq. Business & Intellectual Property Attorney

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