Copyright Lawyer: Protecting Your Intellectual Property

If you are looking for information regarding copyright protection law, then The United States Copyright Office is the authority that provides basic copyright information services to the public. The Copyright Office maintains a staff of over 400 employees tasked with examining and registering copyright claims. A qualified copyright lawyer will provide advice on all aspects of copyright law, and can help you protect any of the following intellectual property from being stolen:

1.  literary works
2.  musical works, including any accompanying words
3.  dramatic works, including any accompanying music
4.  pantomimes and choreographic works
5.  pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
6.  motion pictures and other audiovisual works
7.  sound recordings
8.  architectural works (Sourced: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf)

How do you know if your work is protected? According to the US Copyright Office, “your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.” So, you don’t have to register your work with the office for it to be protected, but you are required to register your work should you ever wish to file a lawsuit for infringement. A notice of copyright typically looks like this: Copyright © 2016 The Concept Law Group, P.A.   Although this notice is not required under the law, it is beneficial because it works to inform the public that the work is indeed copyright protected. This notice can also help a copyright lawyer disprove any defendant’s claims of innocent infringement. In addition to protecting your intellectual property, a copyright attorney will also help guide you through the registration and renewal process. Since the US Copyright Office receives in excess of 600,000 applications on an annual basis, you’ll want to ensure the accuracy of your application to confirm there are no errors that could lead to lengthy delays. In order to receive a copyright, you’ll be required to complete the application, submit a nonrefundable filing fee and a nonreturnable deposit. A lawyer specializing in this area will guarantee no time delays during this process, and also notify you when the time comes to file a renewal application. So, an experienced copyright lawyer definitely holds the key to successfully protecting your intellectual property. It’s also important to note that since there is no international copyright, you should consider consulting an attorney regarding international copyright treaties. The Concept Law Group, P.A. practices in the areas of trademarks, patents and copyrights. Their lawyers hold engineering degrees and have recovered over $60M in IP Litigation damages on behalf of clients.