COPYRIGHT ATTORNEY KANSAS CITY

You've just written a song or a short story, and you want to protect it from others who might steal it from you or claim it was their creation. At Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., our copyright attorney in Kansas City can help you understand your options for protecting your work. In short, you want copyright protection for your work, but you may be unsure how it works.

Copyright protection is automatic. Once you create an original work, whether by taking a photograph, creating a blog post, or recording a song, you become the legal owner. Copyright registration, however, allows you to go a step further in protecting your work through litigation. It also allows you to license your work to others.

Experienced Copyright Protection for Creative Works

Copyright law involves more than simply establishing ownership of an original work. Ream Law Firm provides focused legal guidance for creators, businesses, and other rights holders dealing with copyright protection, registration, licensing, and enforcement.

• Legal Experience: Decades of experience handling intellectual property matters.

• Technical Background: Attorney Dale J. Ream's background in engineering and computer science provides an added perspective when intellectual property involves technology.

• Intellectual Property Focus: Copyright matters are handled alongside patent, trademark, and other intellectual property services.

• Practical Guidance: We help clients understand their rights and determine appropriate steps for protecting and using their creative works.

With legal and technical experience across intellectual property law, Ream Law Firm provides knowledgeable guidance for clients seeking to protect the value of their original work.

How A Copyright Attorney In Kansas City Can Help Protect Creative Works

Copyrights are different from patents and trademarks as they cover works of creativity as opposed to inventions or slogans.

If you've just created an original work and want to know more about U.S. copyright rules, or you believe your work has been violated, contact Ream Law Firm, L.L.C. today. As a dedicated copyright attorney in Kansas City, Dale J. Ream assists clients in and around Kansas City, Missouri, in managing and protecting their works through copyright law. He also provides services as a patent and trademark lawyer.

What Is the Copyright Law in the U.S.?

The U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8, declares: “Congress shall have Power . . . To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.” This was followed by the first copyright law in 1790, which has been updated throughout the years.

The first thing to know about U.S. copyright law is what types of works it protects. Basically, anything you can see, hear, read, or watch is probably subject to copyright law. Books, journals, photographs, works of visual art and sculpture, music, sound recordings, computer programs, websites, film, architectural drawings, and choreography are all examples of copyrightable materials.

In other words, works of creativity are subject to copyright protection. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that to be copyrightable, a work must have a “spark” or “modicum” of creativity.

Not everything is covered by copyright law, however. Ideas, procedures, methods, systems, processes, concepts, principles, or discoveries are not copyrightable. Book titles are also not copyrightable, as they are considered short slogans. Thus, you can copyright the book “Gone with the Wind,” but not the title.

Also, if you are commissioned or hired to do something creative, even if just to take a photograph, then the person or entity assigning you the task becomes the copyright owner.

How Long Does Copyright Protection Last?

Following an update to the law in 1978, copyright protection now lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. If there is more than one author or creator, then the copyright lasts 70 years after the death of the last co-contributor. For works done for hire, anonymously or pseudonymously, the protection lasts 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

What Protections Does Copyright Registration Bestow?

The U.S. Copyright Office has sole authority to issue you a certificate of registration, which enhances your copyright protections.

Although original works are immediately subject to copyright, registering them with the Copyright Office extends your legal protections.

First of all, registration provides a public record of ownership. It also creates a presumption of ownership, which is valuable when enforcing your rights in court. Registration is also necessary for filing a lawsuit for infringement of your work. In 2019, the Supreme Court held that registration of a copyright is required as a condition for filing an infringement action.

With official registration, you thus become eligible for recovering statutory damages, attorney’s fees, and the cost of the lawsuit.

Registration also allows you to work with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to detain and seize imported goods that violate your rights as the copyright holder.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I register my copyright?

Registering your work can provide important legal advantages if you need to enforce your copyright, particularly when someone uses your work without permission. We can help you understand whether registration is appropriate for your particular work. Our guidance can also help you understand the steps involved in protecting your rights.

Can I license my copyrighted work to someone else?

Yes. Copyright owners can permit others to use their work under specific terms, which can be tailored to the type and scope of the intended use. We can help you address the legal considerations involved in licensing your creative work. This can help you establish clear terms for how others may use your work.

What can I do if someone uses my work without permission?

If you believe your work has been used without authorization, a copyright attorney in Kansas City can review the circumstances and explain the legal options available to protect your rights. We can help you determine what steps may be appropriate based on the nature of the alleged infringement. Addressing unauthorized use promptly can be important when protecting your creative work.

Can copyright protection apply to work created for my business?

Ownership can depend on factors such as who created the work, the relationship between the creator and business, and the agreements governing the work. Reviewing those circumstances can help clarify who holds the copyright. We can help businesses address ownership questions involving creative works produced for their use. Clear ownership can help businesses manage and protect those works going forward.

How can your copyright attorney in Kansas City help with my creative work?

Our firm can guide registration, licensing, ownership, and potential infringement issues. Dale J. Ream brings extensive intellectual property experience to helping clients protect and manage their creative works. We can work with you to address the copyright concerns specific to your work and circumstances.