Copyright Information
What is a Copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of “original works of authorship” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works, both published and unpublished. The Copyright Act generally gives the owner of copyright the exclusive right to reproduce the copyrighted work, to prepare derivative works, to distribute copies of the copyrighted work, to perform the copyrighted work publicly, or to display the copyrighted work publicly.
Copyright typically applies to music, lyrics, poetry, art, sculpture, literature, books and many other forms of human expression.
The copyright protects the form of expression rather than the subject matter of the writing. For example, a description of a machine could be copyrighted, but this would only prevent others from copying the description; it would not prevent others from writing a description of their own or from making and using the machine.
It is important in many instances to register for your copyright within three months of first publication to obtain maximum benefit under the copyright laws. There are advantages to file a copyright application prior to any public display or performance of the subject material.
Are you being sued for copyright infringement?
Copyright Defense
We can help protect you and enforce your rights as the accused in copyright infringement actions. Don't try to resolve a cease and desist demand or respond to claims for copyright infringement damages without talking to us first. We help clients get cases dismissed or manage settlements with copyright holders.
