McIlvaine Law Firm » Copyrights

Copyrights

To register a copyright, please click here.

A copyright belongs to the author of an original work expressed in some fixed form. This is a very broad definition, and as such many creative works can be protected by copyright.

What can be copyrighted?

(1) literary works;
(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;
(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;
(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;
(5) pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;
(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
(7) sound recordings; and
(8) architectural works.

Right now, we have a flat monthly rate for photograph copyright registration. Click here for more details.

Is copyright protection automatic?

Yes and no. Yes, your copyright exists from the moment your work is created. However, your copyright is legally worthless until you register it. You cannot even sue for copyright infringement until your copyright is registered first. The biggest pitfall you need to watch out for is not registering your copyright early enough.

Why should I register my copyrights?

Advantages to registration include:
1) Right to sue for copyright infringement
2) Right to recover statutory damages as opposed to mere actual damages
3) Possibility of recovering attorney’s fees and court costs in a lawsuit
4) Puts the world on notice that your work is not free to take

When should I register my copyrights?

More important than any other consideration, registering your copyrights before an infringement occurs guarantees that you will possess the greatest level of copyright protection available. On the other hand, waiting until after someone has committed an infringement could leave you completely without a remedy.

How much does it cost?

Federal filing fees vary, but in most cases it is $35 per registration. On top of that, you have to pay your attorney something as well.  After consultation, we can quote you a flat fee, depending on what kind of work you wish to copyright, and how many different works are involved.

To register a copyright, please click here.

Photographers and Publishers***Take a look at a new program that the McIlvaine Law Firm is offering that will let you register all of your copyrightable photographs at once for a fraction of what it would normally cost to register each photo separately. Click here to find out more about our Monthly Photograph Copyright Program.


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