Limelight Copyright Services
Limelight Law will help you protect your creations against unauthorized copying by third parties as well as negotiate a variety of Copyright-related agreements. Limelight is pleased to offer the following Copyright services:
- Copyright Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office
- Copyright Infringement Opinions
- Representation before the Copyright Claims Board
- Copyright Licensing Agreements
- Work-For-Hire Agreements
Overview of Copyright Law
A copyright gives an author of an original work exclusive rights to their work, including the right to control and protect it. Copyrights cover a wide variety of different subject matters. Qualifying for a copyright is not very difficult. There are certain elements that must be met, including originality. The work cannot be a copy of anything else. Copyrights must also be tangible and at least a little creative. In other words, an idea cannot be copyrighted, but a written work can be.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines copyright as “a form of protection provided by U.S. law to the authors of ‘original works of authorship'” fixed in any tangible medium of expression.” Original works of authorship can be copyrighted, including:
- Poetry
- Songs
- Photography
- Movies
- Sculptures
- Novels
- Architectural Works
Slogans, symbols, and designs cannot be copyrighted.
The Rights a Copyright Provides
When the owner of a work copyrights it, they have the ability to:
- Reproduce;
- Distribute; and
- Sell the work.
If the work is a play, they can perform it; if it is a movie, they can show it.
Copyright also allows the owner to prepare derivative works based on the original.
Copyright owners can also authorize others to exercise the rights given to them by the copyright.
Copyright Registration & Benefits
Contrary to popular belief, copyright registration is not mandatory. However, to best protect your intellectual property, you should register a copyright for it. The benefits of copyright registration are many and the process does not have to be complicated with a copyright lawyer in D.C. guiding and advising you.
One of the benefits of copyright registration is that it establishes evidence that the work has an owner on record. Also, should another party attempt to infringe on the copyright, the fact the copyright is registered allows the owner to bring a lawsuit against the infringing party (a rejected application may be used for the same purpose).
If the copyright owner wants to seek statutory damages and attorney's fees in an infringement case, registration after publication or before the infringement occurs allows them to do so.
Are you ready to protect your works of art? Get in touch.