Experienced Copyright Attorney Helps Artists, Creatives, and Entertainers with Copyright Issues
Copyright lawyer protects creatives and their work
Once a creator puts a concept into a tangible form, that work automatically gains federal copyright protection. The creator enjoys the exclusive right to print, sell, copy, license, distribute and use the work. Unfortunately, infringement of copyright happens all the time, and creators must have a copyright registration to pursue action against an infringer.. At Masters IP, I serve creative throughout the United States by helping protect their work through copyright registration. We defend creators’ copyrights against infringement, and help creators monetize their work through licensing agreements.
Dedicated advocate assists creators of various types of creative works
Essentially any type of art produced in a tangible form can be copyrighted. We handle copyright issues for artists’ creations in all types of media, including:
- Books, stories, and poems
- Musical compositions
- Dramatic works
- Screenplays
- Newspaper and magazine articles
- Maps
- Sculptures
- Technical drawings
- Photographs
- Movies
- Computer programs
Determined attorney advises on copyright registration
Copyright attaches automatically at the moment of creation, so a creator immediately has enforceable rights. Unfortunately, those rights are only enforceable in federal court with a copyright registration. When you timely register your copyright, you are entitled to statutory damages between $750 and $30,000 per work. If the infringement of your copyright is willful, you may be entitled to as much as $150,000 per work. If you do not timely file to register your work before the infringement occurs, you will still be able to recover actual damages. Because it is very hard to prove how the reproduction of a photograph (or other artistic work) actually harmed the artist, suits for common law infringement are rarely effective, unless the infringer has made a substantial amount of money from his illicit use of the work. For example, lawsuits alleging plagiarism of the tune for a hit song or the plot of a hit movie can recover substantial damages.
At Masters IP, we offer a flat-fee rate of $350 (plus government filing fees of $45-$95) to apply to register your copyrights.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA) provides additional protections for infringements on the internet and empowers creators to demand that internet service providers remove access to infringing materials. With the creation of new virtual worlds on the Internet, new virtual legal issues are arising. I keep current with emerging law, so you have optimal protection.
Creators also have the option to pursue copyright infringement through a new small claim’s procedure under the CASE Act. Damages under the CASE Act are capped at $30,000 and are designed for creators to bring infringement claims in a cost-effective way. Masters IP can help guide you through this process and represent you at an affordable rate.
For work created after 1978, the U.S. Copyright Office grants copyright for the full extent of an author’s or creator’s life plus 50 years. Copyright is recognized by many countries through the Universal Copyright Convention, so your protection extends internationally.
Copyright lawyer handles licensing and assignment agreements
When a creator wants to license a work for use or assign a work outright, our firm negotiates licensing agreements that protect the creator’s rights and enable a reasonable return. If another person or company attempts to infringe upon your copyright, we will pursue all available legal remedies. We first demand that the infringer cease and desist unauthorized actions. However, often the most beneficial resolution is for the creator and the infringer to enter into a licensing agreement. This allows the creator to monetize the work and the infringer to escape onerous penalties.
Contact a meticulous intellectual property attorney
At Masters IP, we are dedicated to helping artists protect their creative works. Call 860-863-4092 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
