What is a “work for hire?”
The default copyright scenario is that a creator owns his or her work. For another party to own the work, it must be set forth in writing. Under this default, therefore, contractors own their work. If...
Intellectual Property
Do I need copyright permission to print famous quotes in a company manual?
For long dead historical persons, you do not have to obtain permission from anyone to use quotes. You can use as many quotes as you want. Any copyright Shakespeare may have enjoyed for his works and u...
Copyright Law
Copyright protection exists for original works of authorship that involve some minimal level of creativity. In order to be eligible for copyright protection, the work must be fixed in a tangible mediu...
Don’t Fake Facebook: New California Law Aims to Curb Cyber Bullying
Not only does making a fake Facebook profile violate Facebook's terms of use, but it now also may be against the law. A new law in California makes it illegal to create a Facebook page in someone else...
What to Do if You Are Scammed Online
Tips on how not get scammed online, how to protect your security, and what measures you should take if you have been the victim of an online scam. ...
What types of inventions qualify for patent protection?
Patent protection grants inventors manufacturing and production rights over their inventions for a given amount of time. There are three types: desgin patents, plant patents, and utility patents...
Singer Alicia Keys Sued for Copyright Infringement
Alicia Keys, known for her hit songs, If I Ain't Got You, No One and her most recent single, Girl On Fire, has found herself on the receiving end of a copyright infringement lawsuit. ...
Oatmeal Studios Sues The Oatmeal Webcomic Over Name
Greeting card company Oatmeal Studios for trademark is bringing suit against the highly visited webcomic dubbed The Oatmeal and chain of gift shops featuring the website's cartoons. ...
Eminem Settles Download Sales Landmark Lawsuit with Universal
Well-known rapper, Eminem's production company has recently settled a long-running legal battle with his music label over digital download sales. ...
TiVo Patent Lawsuit against Verizon Ends in $250.4 Million Settlement
Digital recording company, TiVo, maker of the original DVR, settled their pending patent infringement lawsuit against Verzion Communications this week for $250 million, in an effort to protect its int...
What works cannot be copyright protected?
Not all works can receive copyright protection. In fact, Title 17, the copyright title, specifically lists what can and can't be considered copyrightable based on certain requirements. The first requi...
Can I use someone else’s copyrighted work?
Copyrighted work may be used with the copyright holder's consent or for certain purposes by people other than the copyright owner under the Fair Use doctrine. The Fair Use doctrine allows reproduction...
When is work considered to be in the “public domain”?
The 'Public Domain' refers to created material that either does not get copyright protection by law, or protection under the law has lapsed. By definition, materials in the public domain do not have c...
What is “fair use” in intellectual property law?
Fair Use is a defense to a claim of copyright infringement. This means that if you were to use a work and you thought your use was "fair use", you would have to be sued for infringement and assert tha...
How much do music publishers get paid?
Discussion of the percentages music publishers are paid for various forms of music income. In exchange for a typical co-publishing deal, the music publisher is traditionally paid 50% of the "publisher...
What is a publishing agreement?
Description of music publishing agreement between a music publishing company and a song writer. A music publishing agreement is a copyright contact that a song writer signs with a music publishing com...
Can a band use a name that is already trademarked?
Rarely, a band may use a trademarked name. For example, a mark that is primarily a surname does not usually qualify for protection under federal trademark provisions, unless the surname becomes well-k...
Can I copy information on a website?
You may copy or duplicate information on a website, but within limits. So long as the copy that you are making is for personal use, you do not further distribute the material, and you make no 'for-pro...
What is the copyright registration process?
Registration with the Copyright Office includes the filing of a copyright claim application, payment of the registration fee, and deposit of at least 2 copies of the work. There are several different ...
Should I register my work for copyright protection?
You should register your work for copyright protection within ninety days of publication. Although it is not mandatory, copyright registration does two important things with regard to copyright protec...
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