COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SERVICES

Copyright protection includes controlling how one's original works are used by others, such as through a license agreement.  Copyright enforcement or prosecution typically refers to taking legal action against a person or business for copyright infringement, such as the use of an original work without authorization from the copyright owner or exceeding the terms of a license.      

Copyright protection and enforcement are a constant challenge for copyright holders, including artists, authors, and other content creators, especially when marketing or showcasing original works on the Internet.  Copyright holders, like many businesses, regularly use the Internet to conduct business; however, protecting original works marketed or licensed on the Internet is challenging due to technology available to other Internet users to simply copy, alter, or distribute those works for free.  Copyright holders should therefore be proactive in protecting their copyrights by taking steps early in order to achieve maximum protection under the law against copyright infringement.

Registering one's copyrights early with the U.S. Copyright Office is particularly important for copyright holders to consider for both the purposes of copyright protection and copyright enforcement.  A substantial benefit of early registration of a copyright is that a copyright holder may be able to recover statutory damages as well as attorney's fees for copyright infringement that occurs after the date the copyright was registered.  

Conveying copyright management information with an original work can also serve to protect the copyright in that work as it provides notice of the copyright to others.  Types of copyright management information include the author's name, title of the work, or terms and conditions for use of the work.  Furthermore, when enforcing a copyright, monetary damages may be recovered in cases where copyright management information has been removed or altered, and damages may be increased if the infringer ignored copyright management information.

An attorney experienced in copyright law and litigation can advise you on the best approaches to protecting your copyrights and assist you in carrying out those approaches.   ​​Are you or your business in need of an attorney to help you enforce or protect your copyrights or other intellectual property?   For more information, visit Dane K. Anderson's attorney profile or contact the firm.