The product of creative expression, such as literature, music, art, and graphic designs. • Copyright protects a work of authorship if it meets three criteria. First, the work must be original, not a copy. Second, the work must be presented in a fixed medium, such as a computer disk, a canvas, or paper. Finally, some […]
work of authorship Read More »
prayer for relief. A request addressed to the court and appearing at the end of a pleading; esp., a request for specific relief or damages. — Often shortened to prayer. — Also termed demand for relief. See AD DAMNUM CLAUSE. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure 680; Pleading 72. C.J.S. Pleading §§ 110–115.] “The prayer for relief.
Jamaican switch. An illegal scheme whereby one conspirator convinces the victim of a need for help in handling a large sum of money, usu. by claiming to have found the money or by claiming to be an unsophisticated foreigner, and promises to share part of the money with the victim or asks the victim for
clause, n. 1. A distinct section or provision of a legal document or instrument. 2. ITEM(3). — clausal, adj. enacting clause. The part of a statute stating the legislative authority by which it is made and often the date when it will take effect. • A typical enacting clause begins with the words “Be it
local option. An option that allows a municipality or other governmental unit to determine a particular course of action without the specific approval of state officials. — Also termed local veto. Cf. HOME RULE. [Cases: Intoxicating Liquors 24–43; Municipal Corporations 65. C.J.S. Intoxicating Liquors §§ 49–89; Municipal Corporations §§ 122, 140–141, 143.]
blood-grouping test. A test used in paternity and illegitimacy cases to determine whether a particular man could be the father of a child, examples being the genetic-marker test and the human-leukocyte antigen test. • The test does not establish paternity; rather, it eliminates men who could not be the father. See PATERNITY TEST; GENETIC-MARKER TEST;
blood grouping test Read More »
civil liberty. (usu. pl.) Freedom from undue governmental interference or restraint. • This term usu. refers to freedom of speech or religion. In American law, early civil liberties were promulgated in the Lawes and Libertyes of Massachusetts (1648) and the Bill of Rights (1791). In English law, examples are found in Magna Carta (1215), the
apostate ([schwa]-pos-tayt). A person who has forsaken religion or a particular religion. — Also termed (archaically) apostata (ap-[schwa]-stay-t[schwa]).
dungeon. 1. The bottom part of a fortress or tower, often used as a prison. — Also termed dungeon-keep. 2. A dark underground prison.
Science and Technology Directorate. The division of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for coordinating research and development, including preparing for and responding to terrorist threats involving weapons of mass destruction. • The Directorate also works with the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures Program and the Environmental Measurements Lab in the Department of Energy,
science and technology directorate Read More »