Dallas Copyright Lawyer Serving the United States

What is a Copyright?

Original works of authorship are protected by copyright, a type of intellectual property, as soon as the author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression.

Paintings, pictures, illustrations, musical compositions, sound recordings, computer programs, novels, poems, blog posts, movies, architectural works, plays, and many more are protected by copyright law.

Copyrights are protectable when they are both fixed works and original works.

Original Works

When someone alone creates a work and exhibits a minimal level of inventiveness, the work is considered original. Simply put, independent creation refers to an original, unaltered invention.

According to the Supreme Court, a work needs to have a “spark” and “modicum” of creativity in order to be considered creative. However, some items lack creativity, such as titles, names, one-word phrases, slogans, well-known symbols, and simple ingredient or content lists. Also note that copyright only protects expression and not concepts, principles, systems, processes, procedures, methods, or discoveries. These are protected by other forms of registration, ask us how!

Fixed Works

A work is considered fixed when it is recorded (either by the author or with their permission) in a medium that is sufficiently durable to allow for long-term perception, reproduction, or communication. For instance, when anything is written down or recorded, it is fixed. Generally, once a work is fixed, it can receive copyright protection.

What Does a Copyright Lawyer Do?

A copyright lawyer can either help clients copyright their work or assist clients in dealing with third parties that are violating their copyrighted works. The work of lawyers in the former is quite simple. They may offer you guidance along the way, assist you in drafting your application, and file the necessary documents. The latter group of attorneys can represent you in court if someone is making unauthorized use of your copyrighted works.

If you want to copyright your work, you should speak with a lawyer. A lawyer can ensure that everything on your application is appropriately submitted, increasing your likelihood of registration. By retaining legal counsel at the outset of the procedure, you can reduce future time and worry.

Also, if you think someone is violating your copyright, a lawyer can assist with infringement claims. Of course, there are numerous variations of copyright violations, and some of them are simpler to comprehend than others. Even if a copyright violation has occurred, you might not be certain of it. You can better understand your rights with the assistance of an attorney.

How to Protect a Copyright?

Once a work of original composition is fixed, copyright is inherent, but the owner of the copyright can take actions to strengthen the protections through registration. Specifically, one of those strengths includes the ability to bring legal action to enforce the copyright holder’s exclusive rights in the event of an infringement. Additionally , registration permits copyright owners to request  monetary damages and legal fees in the event of a lawsuit.

The date a work was created determines how long it is protected under copyright. The copyright term for works established on or after January 1, 1978, is now set at the author’s lifetime plus 70 years after death. In the case of a joint work, the term continues for 70 years following the passing of the final surviving author.

Hiring a Copyright Lawyer

If you have questions regarding copyright registration, infringement, or are unsure of whether your work qualifies for copyright protections, contact the Dallas copyright attorneys at Elaine Law Group.

Contact our Dallas copyright lawyer at Elaine Law Group. Call us at 214-432-3113 or complete the online form to set up an initial consultation.