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How a copyright attorney can help you …

How a lawyer can help ...

 Do you need an attorney for copyright matters? If you are an artist, photographer, designer, writer, illustrator, software developer, songwriter, or anyone that creates original works, a copyright attorney can help you determine your rights with respect to the works you create and your ability to make money licensing those rights. Alternatively, if you frequently use or publish works created by others, an attorney can help you sort out the permissions and licensing issues to keep you from infringing another’s rights.

A copyright attorney can help …

  1. Assess your rights. A copyright lawyer can help assess your rights with respect to the following areas:
    • Determining qualification for copyright protection
    • Considering options for international protection
    • Providing advice on where, when and how to use the copyright symbol
    • Identifying public domain or “fair use” issues
    • Identifying possible copyright infringements and disputes
    • Advising on digitalization issues
    • Advising on permissions and licensing 2.
  2. Register your copyright. There is no written rule that you must use an attorney to register for copyright protection. Anyone can register their own copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office by following their online instructions. If you decide to go it alone, it may still be a good idea to contact a copyright lawyer to review your application for copyright registration.
  3. Stop infringement. A simple “cease and desist” letter on law firm letterhead may be the only thing you need to stop an infringement of your copyright. It is often a time-saving and cost-effective way of handling infringement, often leading to either a request for permission to use the work legally, or, better yet, a paid licensing deal.
  4. Negotiate: An attorney experienced in copyright law can help equalize negotiations if there is a dispute over a copyright matter or a licensing or permissions deal on the table. You will benefit from a more impartial person advocating your position for you and providing you with an experienced and seasoned viewpoint.
  5. Represent you in court: You will know that it is time to hire a lawyer if your copyright matter becomes complicated or contentious and now needs to be resolved by a judge.