Legal Q&A

I am a first-time drunk driving offender; if I write a petition, can I receive leniency?

A little while ago, I caused a drunk driving accident. No one was injured. I heard that for a first-time drunk driving offense, submitting a drunk driving petition can lead to mitigation, but I do not even know the format and feel at a loss as to what I should do. Can submitting a drunk driving petition really reduce the charge? Regarding the drunk driving petition, I would appreciate an answer from an attorney who can help with a first-time drunk driving offense.

If I make it similar to a famous company's trade name, does it violate the Unfair Competition Prevention Act?

I am trying to create a franchise-type pizza corporation with a concept similar to the eco-friendly A Pizza that is trending these days. The pizza recipe is one we developed ourselves, so it has its own originality. However, when deciding the company's trade name, is it all right to make it similar to the existing A Pizza's trade name?

What should I do if I am sued for damages over a copyright violation?

For my parents' restaurant business, I found food photos on the Internet and posted them on a food company's website. I did not even know who the copyright holder was, and I posted them simply to promote the shop. However, the other party filed a civil suit against me for a copyright violation. In such a case, how should I best respond? Is a claim for damages even possible over something like this?

I would like to receive a drunk driving consultation.

Having committed drunk driving, I would like to receive a drunk driving consultation. I have already completed the police investigation, and now they are telling me to come in for the prosecution's investigation... I absolutely must not let it go all the way to a criminal trial, so is there any way to obtain a non-prosecution disposition or a suspension of indictment before a criminal trial? And if I receive a suspension of indictment for drunk driving, does that mean no criminal record remains? I would appreciate an answer from an attorney who is good at drunk driving consultations.

Copyright attorney, if I violated the Copyright Act by mistake, will I face criminal punishment?

Hello. While making my own personal video to share on the internet, I used portions of another person's video here and there, and I never imagined that this would violate the Copyright Act. The other party says they intend to file a criminal complaint over this. I had no malicious intent whatsoever. Copyright attorney, can I still face criminal punishment in a case like this?

What punishment does one receive for committing a violation of the Trademark Act?

My company has been the subject of a criminal complaint for violation of the Trademark Act on the ground that the name of a product we newly released is similar to a competitor's product. We had no such intention at all, so we feel this is deeply unfair. We truly spent a long time developing and releasing it, and I am worried that, because of this, we may not even be able to sell it. If a violation of the Trademark Act is recognized, what criminal liability would we bear?

Intellectual property attorney, can a minor also file a patent application?

Intellectual property attorney, I am still a high school student, but I have invented a new technology and am preparing to obtain a patent. However, the patent process and its procedures are much more complex than I had expected, so it is very difficult, and I do not know where or how to begin seeking help. I believe I would need a guardian or a representative, but I am not certain. Is it possible for a minor to obtain a patent?

I would like to know whether drunk driving is established.

I drank until dawn and called a designated driver to park in the parking lot. After the driver left, I remained in the car in a heavily intoxicated state, put the gear in neutral, and fell asleep. When I opened my eyes, the vehicle had moved slightly forward and struck the car in front, and an alcohol level of 0.21% was measured, so I now face the risk of being punished for drunk driving. It happened while I was asleep, so I would like to know whether this constitutes drunk driving, and I feel this is unfair.

In the case of repeat drunk driving, is it possible to obtain relief from license revocation?

Ten years ago, I was caught drunk driving at a reading of 0.04%, and this time I was caught at 0.05%, which is already my second drunk driving offense. In both cases, my blood alcohol concentration did not reach the level for license revocation but only for license suspension. I would like to ask whether a repeat drunk driving offender is subject to license revocation regardless of the reading, and whether a person can file for relief from license revocation even as a repeat drunk driving offender.