Copyright Law Firms

What is a Copyright Law Firm? Copyright law firms are legal entities comprised of copyright lawyers/attorneys. These professionals are well-versed in copyright and intellectual property law. Therefore, if you come across any issues pertaining to a newly-created work or a copyright infringement you should contact a copyright law firm. Copyright law firms litigate for clients (businesses and individuals) facing copyright issues. These professional institutions provide advice concerning a person’s or company’s rights and legal responsibilities as they pertain to U.S. copyright law. In the United States, a copyright is a form of protection offered by the government to the authors or creators of original works of authorship. Pieces eligible for copyright include dramatic, literary, musical, artistic and other intellectual works. Protections provided by copyright are available to both unpublished and published works, regardless of the domicile or nationality of the creator. It is illegal for any individual or business to violate any of the rights offered by copyright law to the owner of the copyright. Copyright protection exists from the time the work is created as a tangible form of expression. The copyright in the work immediately becomes the property of the individual or business who created the work. Only the author, or those transferred the rights through the author, can legally claim the copyright. It is vital to understand that mere possession or ownership of a manuscript, painting, book etc. does not provide the owner the copyright to the work. Copyright law provides that the transfer of ownership of material objects that embody protected works does not, of itself, convey rights in the copyright. It is also compulsory to understand that including the author’s name on a copied work does not relieve the copier from an infringement claim. If the work is protected under copyright law, a copier must obtain permission from the copyright holder to reuse it. Copyright protection is secured automatically when a work is created in a tangible form. This simply means that when a piece of work is actually created (recorded for a song or written for a book etc.) it becomes copyrighted and owned by the creator. So, neither registration, publication nor any other action is required to secure a copyright. That being said, registration is recommended. Because registration is recommended, the use of a copyright law firm is often suggested for creators of original work. Moreover, if your work is infringed (re-used or sold by another party) you must hire a copyright law firm to file an infringement suit. These issues commonly arise when unrelated parties (individuals or businesses who were not given permission to use/sell/manufacture/produce your copyrighted work) profit or benefit from your work. Remember, copyrights are distributed once you tangibly create something. To embolden your rights you should place a copyright symbol on your work along with the year of its publication and your name. The above information is nice to know but if you come across a situation where someone infringes on your copyrights you, yourself, will most likely not have the resources or knowledge to file a claim against the infringer. This is where copyright law firms come into play; if your work is being infringed upon or if you are being accused of infringing on someone’s work you must hire a copyright law firm to file a charge or defend you in the court of law. Copyright law firms are comprised of copyright attorneys/lawyers who are well versed in copyright law. These individuals are experienced in filing—or defending clients in—infringement claims. Because of their knowledge and experience, copyright lawyers can bolster your chances of securing a favorable settlement. If you are not being accused of infringing on someone’s work or you are not filing a claim against a suspected infringer, but instead, simply have a question relating to your work, you should contact a copyright law firm. As stated before, copyright law firms prove beneficial simply by illuminating your rights and responsibilities as a creator or duplicator of an original work. How do I Find Copyright Law Firms in my Area? If you are facing a charge for copyright infringement or would like to file a claim of your own, you must engage in the following steps to hire an effective copyright law firm. • The first step to finding suitable copyright law firms in your area requires you to perform extensive Internet searches. Through the use of Google and other popular engines, you must search for copyright law firms in your area. To do this, simply visit a search engine and utilize their local feature by clicking on “maps” or “local”, depending on the search engine. Next, type in “copyright law firms.” This inquiry should yield a comprehensive list of copyright law firms in your area. • After observing the list you must conduct research on each firm. Search for client testimonials, articles, basic information and reviews for each copyright law firm in your area. Observe this information carefully. The goal of your search efforts is to match a copyright law firm’s specialty with your particular case. Ideally, you want a copyright law firm who is experienced with filing claims or defending those accused of copyright infringement. • After uncovering additional information, you should visit your state’s bar association website. Access the site’s database and search for the firms of interest. Are they in good standing with the bar association? Are they actively licensed to practice law in the state? Do they have a past of bad behavior? How experienced are they in litigating over copyright infringement cases? After answering these questions you should have a better idea of which copyright law firm you want to employ. • After narrowing your list to a few prospective copyright law firms, you should contact each one to schedule a preliminary meeting or consultation. These meetings may be costly depending on the firm’s prestige, reputability and years’ experience. That being said, they are essential to forecast your case and to develop a rapport with your prospective copyright law firm. During your consultations you must observe several things. Is the copyright lawyer knowledgeable? Does the copyright law firm instill confidence in you? Does the copyright law firm seem to care about my case/situation? Is the individual copyright lawyer work in an environment that makes you feel comfortable? In addition to personality, you must evaluate the copyright law firm’s experience in handling similar claims. Experience denotes a precise understanding of copyright law and the procedural rules that revolve around the filing of an infringement claim. Experience, in general, yields a better chance of winning your claim. If you cannot find an experienced copyright law firm in your area, you should hire a copyright lawyer whom you feel comfortable with. Remember, to file a claim you must provide an assortment of information revolving around works, the use of your work, your intentions and how you used or created the work. Because this information is required to file a successful copyright claim, you must hire a copyright law firm who you feel at ease with.