Copyright protection is a fundamental concept every artist, author, musician, or creator must understand. Copyright is an aspect of intellectual property law that protects original works of authorship the moment they are fixed in a tangible medium.
While that may sound sophisticated, for the most part, it is relatively simply. For example, the moment you take a photograph, the moment you write, or sculpt, you have common law copyright rights in your work. It’s that simple.
Copyright “rights” are contained in 17 USC 106. Here, federal law states that only a copyright holder has the right to distribute, reproduce, publically perform, publicly display, or prepare derivate works of the copyrighted material.
Formal registration is not required for copyright protection. However, given the relative low cost of registration, combined with the massive benefits registration provides, all creative works should be registered with the United States Copyright Office.
The benefits of copyright registration include:
Registering with the Copyright Office can by done via its website, eCO. There is a $35 filing fee for copyright registration. Revision Legal offers a flat rate registration package. To register your copyright, contact our attorneys today at 855-473-8474.
The answer to this question is complex and nuanced. In the last decade or so, it has become fashionable to insist there is some stark dichotomy between what a trademark is and what a brand is. But the difference is not as stark as some marketers would like you to believe. The traditional definition of […]
Read more about Is a “Trademark” the Same Thing as a “Brand”?
The Circle R and the TM symbols both relate to trademarks and both can be physically placed on products, packaging, advertising materials, websites, etc. The Circle R symbol is an “R” enclosed in a circle (®). While both are trademark-related symbols, there are different eligibility requirements for use, meanings, and implications. Here is a quick […]
Read more about Trademarks: What is the Difference Between the Circle R and TM Symbols?
E-commerce businesses must comply with federal and State-level advertising laws and regulations. This is true of any business. But e-commerce businesses face special challenges because there is a whole array of potential methods of innocently, accidentally, or intentionally violating advertising laws. These include the potential to engage in false and deceptive advertising practices, such as […]
Read more about Is Your E-Commerce Advertising in Compliance With Existing Laws?