There are a few common types of intellectual property. One that is more well-known is copyright. Copyright is most commonly thought of in relation to music or books. Copyright allows the creator to govern how their original work is used, distributed, or copied–hence the name copyright.
A copyright keeps others from profiting off of your original idea or work, and it is a way of taking ownership of your intellectual property. Copyright laws are meant to protect creators and encourage them to keep creating because it is safe and worthwhile to do so. However, copyright laws are not so strict that it will inhibit future and potential growth.
Although Idaho law does not require a copyright to be registered, copyright infringement is hard to prove without a legally registered copyright. Because of the nature of intellectual property it is hard to prove anything without proper documentation. This is one of the main reasons why having an Idaho Falls copyright attorney is so important in defending what is rightfully yours.
Copyright gives you the right to:
- Produce
- Reproduce
- Perform
- Display
- Broadcast
The duration of copyright is the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years after.
Examples of copyright infringement:
- Copying a picture and then selling it for financial gain
- Illegally downloading movies without payment including recording in the movie theater
- Illegal downloading music without payment
- Using protected images on a website without permission
- Making multiple photo copies of sheet music when you only paid for one copy
What is the difference between a patent and a copyright?
A patent typically protects an invention while a copyright protects a creative work. Think of a Samsung washing machine. If you have ever been to someone’s home that owns a Samsung washing machine you know the song it plays when it finishes a cycle is not only long, but unique. The invention of the actual washing machine is most likely patent protected. The jingle it plays signaling you to switch your laundry is most likely copyright protected. In other words, you can’t stop someone from creating a different song that does the same function, but they cannot create another machine that performs the same function.
A patent typically protects something that is tangible whereas a copyright protects products that can be distributed digitally. For example, if you have a speaker that you use to play music, chances are that the speaker has a patent. However the music you play via the speaker has a copyright that prevents you from making an income from the music.
Who and what qualifies for copyright protection?
Individuals or corporations who want to protect their intellectual property can register with the U.S. Copyright Office. We strongly recommend this action because it can make it much easier to protect copyright in the future if necessary. Some common types of work registered with the U.S. Copyright Office include:
- Musical Works
- Literary Works
- Film/TV
- Computer Games
- Recipes
- Photography
- Architecture
- Computer Technology
Why should I hire a copyright attorney?
We live in a technology driven world. The access that people have for copying things onto all kinds of devices makes copyright a very relevant topic and a prevalent issue. We are fairly confident in stating that if your intellectual property is not properly protected by copyright, you will almost certainly end up needing a copyright attorney to help defend your rights. The Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney team will know how to navigate the situation effectively and efficiently.
The fact of the matter is that in the event of copyright infringement you will likely feel overwhelmed without the proper knowledge of how to proceed without the help of a professional. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand the complexities of copyright law as well as make a unique plan of action.
What does a copyright attorney do?
A copyright attorney can help you with anything copyright related and assist with all parts of the copyright process. From helping you learn more about copyrights to fighting for copyrights in the courtroom, Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney will be there.
Here are a few examples of general work that copyright lawyers can do:
- Licensing for advertising and marketing
- Acquiring foreign copyright registrations
- Licensing agreements and contracts
If you have experienced copyright issues and need a lawyer for your case our copyright attorneys can:
- Detect instances of copyright infringement
- Defend and advocate for clients in the courtroom
- Gather important documents, evidence and information
Why should I hire Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney?
The Idaho Falls community has trusted Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney with their legal needs for over 60 years. We have a very experienced team and have specific knowledge of copyright law. We have helped businesses as well as individuals come to a better understanding of their legal rights and have won many cases. Our Idaho Falls clients have promoted us and helped grow our business into what it is today. We hope that we can give back by providing excellent legal advice.
We know what we do well and that is law. We want creators to feel confident that all of their creations will be properly protected and defended. You keep creating and we will keep defending. Contact our copyright attorneys at Beard, St. Clair, Gaffney today with all your copyright needs.
