Getting a copyright for your creative work is an essential step in protecting your intellectual property.
The process starts with understanding what can be copyrighted. Generally, any original work fixed in a tangible medium of expression can be copyrighted. This includes literary works, such as books and articles, artistic works like paintings and sculptures, musical compositions, films, and even software code.
However, ideas, facts, and methods themselves are not copyrightable, only the expression of those ideas is.
To begin the process of getting a copyright, you first need to create the work. Once you’ve created it, copyright protection is automatic in Arizona, Nevada and the rest of the United Statesfrom the moment the work is created and fixed in a tangible form.
However, registering your copyright with the appropriate government office, such as the United States Copyright Office, provides additional benefits, such as the ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees in case of infringement.
To register, you typically need to fill out a copyright application form, pay a fee, and submit a copy of your work.
While it is certainly ‘possible’ to navigate the copyright registration process on your own, there are significant advantages to using a copyright lawyer like Farley Weiss of our own Weiss IP Law in Scottsdale, near Phoenix, Arizona.
Our copyright lawyers can provide expert guidance on the complexities of copyright law, ensuring that your rights are fully protected.
We can also advise you on the best strategies for enforcing your copyright and defending against infringement claims.
Additionally, if legal disputes arise, our attorneys can represent you in court, saving you time, stress, and potentially substantial financial losses.
Overall, hiring a copyright lawyer can provide you with peace of mind and confidence in the protection of your creative work.
Weiss & Moy, P.C. was established in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1976 by Harry Weiss, a former senior patent attorney at IBM. Today, Weiss & Moy, P.C. is a full-service intellectual property law firm that provides a comprehensive offering of intellectual property legal services, including advice, prosecution, registration, pre-litigation, and litigation services relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.
The “Fair Use” doctrine is the largest and most well-known exception to the general rule that the copyright owner holds the rights of reproduction, adaptation, public distribution, public performance and public display. The reproduction of copyrighted works without the owner’s permission may be legal or “fair” if it meets certain criteria.
The attorneys at Weiss & Moy, P.C. can help you determine whether or not the fair use doctrine can be applied to your situation.
A federally registered copyright is granted by the United States Copyright Office. Once federally registered, it allows the owner to file suit for infringement and qualify for statutory damages.
The attorneys at Weiss & Moy, P.C. will advise you as to the appropriate type of specimen to submit with your copyright application.
At Weiss & Moy, P.C., we recognize the importance of moving quickly to secure your rights. For this reason, we are often able to prepare the copyright registration paperwork for filing with the United States Copyright Office within one to two business days.
The attorneys at Weiss & Moy, P.C. have substantial experience in various types of intellectual property litigation in multiple district courts throughout the country involving such diverse areas as software, apparel, computer databases, and other copyrightable works. Copyright litigation is a highly specialized area of law. Weiss & Moy, P.C. can guide you through the complexities of litigation in order to protect your intellectual property interests.