What is a Copyright?
A copyright is a right of protection, with its basis in the U.S. Constitution, for protecting original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Such original works of authorship may include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, and certain other creative works such as computer software and architectural works. A copyright holder can prevent others from copying, performing, or otherwise using the work without his or her consent.
Federal registration of a copyright provides several legal advantages to a copyright owner. Two of the most important advantages are the right to statutory damagas, and the right to bring a lawsuit for infringement of the copyright owner's rights.
Statutory damages are only available for copyrights registered with the U.S Copyright Office. The law allows a plaintiff in a copyright infringement action to recover from $200 to $150,000 from an infringer. Without a federal registration on file, the copyright owner can only recover actual damages or actual profits of the infringer. Therefore, federal registration provides much greater protection for your work.
OUR SERVICES:
We have extensive experience in all aspects of copyright protection, licensing, and enforcement. We have the ability to file copyright applications immediately and electronically with the U.S. Copyright Office. We will submit a detailed application which is specific to your type of work, including a deposit of your work with the Library of Congress.
We have considerable experience in drafting licensing agreements, work-for-hire agreements, and cease-and-desist letters in the case of potential infringement. We will work closely with you to take the actions necessary to prevent others from infringing upon your copyright.
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