A Right That Artists May Not Be Aware They Have
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 7, 2017 in Copyrights
Why Estate Planning and Copyrights Can Get Complicated Fast Many are aware that the 1976 Copyright Act grants copyright protection for an artist’s lifetime plus 70 years. However, it also grants a less commonly known form of protection, which only became available in 2013: the right to terminate transferred copyrights. If an artist transfers a copyright by gift, sale, or to a trust, the artist or the artist’s statutory heirs can regain those transferred rights […]
Continue ReadingCan You Copyright a Tattoo?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Oct 26, 2017 in Copyrights
The copyright for a tattoo design is often owned by the artist. But once that design is inked on the body, does that artist own the copyright of that image, too? In the popular NBA 2K video game series, players such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kenyon Martin, and DeAndre Jordan are depicted with their real-world tattoos. The copyrights to those tattoo designs are owned by Solid Oak Sketches, and the company is suing video […]
Continue ReadingCopyright Tip: When There’s No © Symbol
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Aug 3, 2017 in Basics of Intellectual Property
All original works of authorship are protected by copyright as soon as they are created and placed in a fixed format. This is true even if there is no © symbol used. Be safe. Always obtain permission before: Reproducing the work Distributing copies of the work Preparing derivative materials based upon the work Displaying or performing the work publicly
Continue ReadingCopyright FAQ: Internet Images and Articles
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jul 6, 2017 in Copyrights
If an image or article is free and publicly available on the web, can I use it with attribution? Not without permission from the appropriate copyright holders. If it is an original work of authorship, it is covered by copyright – no matter where you found the material, and even if you include the source.
Continue ReadingCopyright Law Can Protect Your Company or Product Logo
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jun 22, 2017 in Copyrights
Many companies take the time to protect their logos with US trademark registration, but certain logos with original artwork can benefit from another level of protection: a US copyright registration. A copyright is also something to consider if the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) refuses to register your trademark. It’s possible that US copyright law may still be able to provide legal protection. Let’s take a look at which logos are eligible and why […]
Continue ReadingHow Do I Handle Every Day Copyright Issues?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Aug 19, 2016 in Basics of Intellectual Property
Ooops…I made a Mistake! What do I do now? Copyright issues permeate every aspect of our lives in the electronic age. Clients regularly contact me regarding images they obtained from a third party website and used on their own website or in a presentation. Usually, the client has obtained a cease and desist letter from a stock photography company instructing the client to cease using the image(s) and to pay the stock photography company a […]
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