Frequently Asked Questions
What is Copyright?
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Registering a Copyright?
To register or not to register, that is the question. Creators question whether to register a copyright or if their work is protected immediately upon creation. The answer is that yes, when an original work is created, the copyright is automatic. However, it is desirable and even prudent for creators to protect their works by registering them with the United States Copyright Office. Registered copyright makes the process less complicated to demonstrate a possible infringement.
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Copyright Protections?
A copyright owner’s protections include:
- The right to publicly publish, display or perform the work.
- Distribute or sell the work.
- The possibility to create other work derived from the original copyrighted work.
These protections are valid for the duration of the copyright, which is generally 70 years. The Law Offices of Grace A. Phillips, LLC., is a copyright attorney Alabama or creators anywhere can consult for more information on the protections and limitations of copyright. See Contact Us tab copyrightfirm@gmail.com
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Copyrights vs Trademarks and Patents
Copyrights, trademarks, and patents apply to different types of intellectual property. Trademarks protect symbols and images related to brand identity. Logos, company names, and taglines are common types of trademarks.
Patents protect inventions and processes, as well as compositions such as medicines. While copyrights are aligned with the artistic and intellectual works of the creator, patents protect the technical and physical components of the creation.
If you are uncertain of the type of Intellectual Property protection that is right for your creation, our Birmingham Copyright Attorney can advise you. The Law Offices of Grace A. Phillips, LLC., is a copyright law firm Birmingham clients in many industries count on for protecting their intellectual property. Our services include the following.
- Copyright Protection Strategies —we are a full-service copyright lawyer Birmingham clients can engage with for a complete strategy. This includes identifying intellectual property that can be registered with the United States Copyright Office, helping businesses understand the limits of copyright, and taking steps to enforce copyrights in the case of infringements. We offer Copyright Searches, Filings, and Registration, Copyright Licenses; Assignments; Transfers; Work for Hire; Infringement and Litigation, and more.