What is a Copyright?
Copyright protection extends to original works of art such as books, music, plays, pictures, movies, architecture and certain other works. Copyrights provide protection whether the work is published or unpublished and, unlike a patent, gives the artist positive rights, the right to work with the intellectual innovation.
What Copyright protects depends on the type of work and how it is created.
Copyrights typically protect creative works which have been incorporated into a tangible item, like a book, music, painting, movies. Copyrights do not extend to mere concepts, ideas or functional goods. Copyrights only extends to original works of authorship embodied in tangible items.
U.S. Copyright Law defines what is a copyright and provides that an artist has copyrights the moment they create something. These rights include the exclusive right to reproduce the authored work, prepare alternative embodiment’s of the work (derivative works), distribute copies and for some categories of art, publicly perform and publicly display the work. These rights are very valuable because they allow the copyright owner to not only use the work but also prevent others from using the work.
Why Hire an Experienced Kansas City Copyright Lawyer
If copyright protection is important for your business, hiring a skilled copyright attorney is crucial. A Kansas City Copyright law Firm can provide expert guidance on registering your copyrights, enforcing your rights, and defending against infringement claims.
As a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, Kansas City has a rich history in copyright law and development of creative works and includes people like Walt Disney the founder of Disney and Joyce C. Hall, the founder of Kansas City-based Hallmark Cards. In addition, Kansas City has historically featured some of the top advertising companies and engineering companies who routinely create copyright worthy works.
As a copyright rich city, having an experienced Copyright Lawyer on your side is important especially if you are defending against a claim of copyright infringement. Additionally, working with a KC copyright lawyer or attorney allows for convenient in-person meetings and a more personalized approach facilitating effective communication and collaboration throughout the patent process. Attorneys from the KC area typically charge less than attorneys around the country, such as in bigger cities or on the coast. In addition, attorneys in the KC area have a strong work ethic and dedication to their craft. Known for their Midwestern values, KC copyright lawyers are renowned for their diligence, perserverence and unwavering committment to our client’s success. When it comes to securing your copyrights, if you are looking for an experienced KC copyright lawyer contact us.
Term of Copyright Protection
For works created after 1978, copyright protection last for the life of the artist plus seventy (70) years. For a business or for unpublished works, copyright protection lasts the shorter of ninety-five (95) years from publication or 120 years from creation.
In some cases, an infringer may ask what is a copyright. Under the Copyright laws, it is illegal for anyone to violate any of the copyright owners rights (infringement). More information about Copyright infringement and Copyright Litigation is located here.
Potential Defenses and Exemptions from Copyright Liability.
One common exemption is the doctrine of “fair use” which permits infringement of another’s work in some special circumstances. In other instances, the Copyright laws allow another to use a copyrighted work with the use of a “compulsory license” under which certain uses are permitted after payment of specified royalties and compliance with other requirements.
You can read more about copyrights on our website. If you believe someone has violated your rights or if someone has challenged your copyrights, you should contact one of our litigation attorneys at your earliest convenience.