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Looking for an Ann Arbor copyright lawyer? Revision Legal is Michigan’s premier copyright law firm. Our copyright attorneys represent creators, businesses, and technology companies in copyright registration, licensing, and infringement litigation across the United States.
Copyright protection arises automatically at the moment an original work of authorship is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Under 17 U.S.C. § 102, copyright covers literary works, musical works, dramatic works, pictorial and graphic works, motion pictures, sound recordings, and architectural works, among other categories. Software code, website content, photographs, and written materials all qualify for copyright protection if they meet the originality threshold established in Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Co., 499 U.S. 340 (1991).
While copyright exists automatically upon creation, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides critical benefits. Under 17 U.S.C. § 411, registration is a prerequisite to filing an infringement lawsuit in federal court for U.S. works. Under 17 U.S.C. § 412, registration before infringement occurs — or within three months of first publication — is required to recover statutory damages and attorney’s fees. Statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c) range from $750 to $30,000 per work, and up to $150,000 for willful infringement.
Revision Legal’s copyright attorneys are experts in:
Ann Arbor’s economy includes the University of Michigan, a robust tech startup ecosystem, software companies, healthcare and biotech firms, and a vibrant arts community. Revision Legal’s copyright attorneys have worked with:
If you discover that someone is using your copyrighted material without permission, you have several options. First, if your work is not already registered, register it immediately — registration creates a public record and unlocks the full range of remedies. Second, consider whether a DMCA takedown notice to the infringing platform is an appropriate first step. Third, consult an attorney about whether a cease-and-desist letter or federal lawsuit is warranted given the scope and nature of the infringement.
The statute of limitations for copyright infringement claims is three years from the date the plaintiff discovered — or with reasonable diligence should have discovered — the infringement. Do not wait.
Revision Legal offers copyright services on a fixed fee and no-surprises basis. For Ann Arbor creators and businesses who want predictable legal costs, flat-fee registration and licensing packages remove the uncertainty from protecting your intellectual property.
If you are looking for an Ann Arbor copyright attorney, contact Revision Legal today at 855-473-8474 or through our online contact form.
Revision Legal is a national internet and intellectual property law firm with deep roots in Michigan. Founded in Traverse City, the firm has grown to serve clients across the United States — from individual entrepreneurs and independent creators to mid-size companies and publicly traded corporations. We focus exclusively on intellectual property, internet law, and technology law, which means our attorneys develop deep expertise in these areas rather than spreading themselves thin across unrelated practice areas.
Our attorneys have litigated trademark, copyright, trade secret, and internet law matters in federal district courts and courts of appeals across the country, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Ninth Circuit. We have handled proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the U.S. Copyright Office. We have also represented clients in ICANN UDRP proceedings before WIPO and the National Arbitration Forum.
For our Ann Arbor clients, Revision Legal combines the depth and resources of a national intellectual property practice with the responsiveness and accessibility of a local law firm. We understand Ann Arbor’s business environment and the legal issues that Ann Arbor’s businesses face. Whether you are a startup protecting a new brand for the first time or an established company managing a large IP portfolio, Revision Legal’s attorneys have the expertise and the tools to serve you effectively.
How long does trademark registration take? USPTO trademark registration typically takes 12 to 18 months from the filing date for straightforward applications. Applications that receive Office Actions, opposition proceedings, or other complications may take longer. Revision Legal will keep you informed of your application’s status throughout the process.
What is the cost of trademark registration? Government filing fees per class of goods or services range from $250 to $350 per class depending on the application basis and form. Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the mark and the number of classes. Revision Legal offers flat-fee trademark registration packages that include the government fee, clearance search, application preparation, and one standard Office Action response.
Do I need to register my trademark before I start using it? No — trademark rights arise through use. But registration provides significantly stronger legal protection and should be initiated as early as possible. You can file an intent-to-use application before your first commercial use, which establishes a priority date from your filing date.
What if someone is already using a similar name? Whether a similar existing use creates a legal problem depends on: how similar the marks are; how similar the goods or services are; whether the existing use is registered; and the geographic scope of each use. A trademark clearance opinion from Revision Legal will assess these factors and give you a practical risk assessment.
One of the most common and costly mistakes businesses make is delaying intellectual property protection until after a problem arises. A trademark that is not registered can be lost to a competitor who files first. A copyright that is not registered before infringement occurs cannot support a claim for statutory damages or attorney’s fees. A trade secret that is not protected by adequate confidentiality agreements may be disclosed without remedy.
The cost of early, proactive intellectual property protection is a fraction of the cost of reactive enforcement after rights have been compromised. Trademark registration, copyright registration, and basic contractual protections for trade secrets are modest investments relative to the value of the brand equity, creative works, and proprietary information they protect. Revision Legal makes these protections accessible through flat-fee service packages that give clients the professional representation they need at a predictable, budgetable cost.
Early protection also creates business value beyond pure legal defense. Registered trademarks and copyrights are balance sheet assets that increase the value of a business in sale, merger, and financing transactions. Investors, acquirers, and lenders conduct IP due diligence as a matter of course, and a well-organized, properly documented IP portfolio signals that a business is professionally managed and its core assets are secure.
Do not wait for a cease-and-desist letter or an infringement lawsuit to make IP protection a priority. Take action now, while the cost is manageable and the available protections are still fully intact. Contact Revision Legal today at 855-473-8474 or through our online contact form to discuss your intellectual property needs.
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