Warning

Info

LSDefine

Simple English definitions for legal terms

substantial similarity

Read a random definition: civil arrest

A quick definition of substantial similarity:

Substantial similarity refers to how much one thing looks or sounds like another thing that is protected by a trademark or copyright. If something is too similar to a protected work, it may be considered infringement. The level of similarity needed to be considered infringement depends on the product and how careful the typical buyer would be in choosing it. For example, someone buying a watch would be expected to be more careful than someone buying candy. There are different types of similarity, such as comprehensive nonliteral similarity, which means copying the general ideas or structure of a work, and fragmented literal similarity, which means copying exact words or phrases. Substantial similarity is a strong resemblance between a protected work and an alleged infringement, which creates an inference of unauthorized copying.

A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Substantial similarity refers to the resemblance of one trademark or copyrighted work to another. It is a question of overall impression rather than an element-by-element comparison of the two marks.

For example, if a company creates a logo that is very similar to another company's logo, it may be considered substantial similarity. The standard for substantial similarity depends on the nature of the product and how much care the typical buyer would be expected to take in making the selection in that particular market.

In copyright law, substantial similarity can refer to both comprehensive nonliteral similarity and fragmented literal similarity. Comprehensive nonliteral similarity is when there is similarity in the general ideas or structure of a work, such as a movie's plot, without using the precise words or phrases of the work. Fragmented literal similarity is when there is similarity in verbatim portions of the protected work.

The standard for substantial similarity in copyright law is whether an ordinary person would conclude that the alleged infringement has appropriated nontrivial amounts of the copyrighted work's expressions. For example, if a book is copied almost word-for-word by another author, it may be considered substantial similarity.

substantial right | substantial-step test

General

General chat about the legal profession.
main_chatroom
👍 Chat vibe: 7 👎
Help us make LSD better!
Tell us what's important to you
you too haha, i was super surprised to have received one so early not gonna lie
i heard the group interview is really chill and I'm kinda excited to do it
seems cool
13:14
Yeah, 7sage has a page that talks about the questions for each schools interview, GULC's seems unique
13:15
Idk how much of an effect it has on admissions chances but should be cool either way
ive heard the conversion rate for gulc group interview is pretty high even moreso if you have the stats
it's hard to say but i've also heard that the group interview is harder to get than the alumni interview. but who really knows tbh
im p sure they don't interview everyone and getting one this early should be a great sign!
13:16
Yeah I've heard the same ab the group interview
13:17
So maybe I'll see you in D.C. a year from now lmao
initiallaw
13:32
Speaking of stat twins kazuyamishima were exact stat twins lol
17:13
Anyone going to the UGA zoom thing on the 22nd?
17:16
My bad, 24th*
Idk, what's it for?
@Law-Guy: How'd you get the Vandy fee waiver?
17:32
What does going ur3 in 3 days mean at Uva 😅
that you will get UR2 in 3 more
17:33
somethings gotta give
I’m new. What’s the UR and UR2?
17:35
I already went ur2. It’s the 3rd status date change
17:35
@RustyWrangler: attend one of their virtual info sessions and they'll send you a fee waiver
@Law-Guy: Awesome, thanks! I'll sign up rn!
i'm not entirely sure
They've recently been sending a lot of interview invites
It means status change?
17:47
Someone said there is a wl/r wave coming but how can that even be predicted 😭
17:48
Where?
Quillinit
17:50
This is obviously not true for UVA. Past years show they don't send any non A results until December
boglue
18:05
this is gonna sound so dumb but what do yall mean when you say date change
18:07
So the date under “application under review” changes with each reader.
LSD+ is ad-free, with DMs, discounts, case briefs & more.