How to Securely Copyright in New York
Most businesses, from small startups to mega corporations, need to find a way to protect their intellectual property3 min read
Most businesses, from small startups to mega corporations, need to find a way to protect their intellectual property. Copyright law enables creators to gain exclusive rights to their works, and this type of protection is essential in order to safely pursue their business goals. For those based in New York and looking for counsel that understands the local regulations about copyrighting, UpCounsel provides access to experienced lawyers who can provide quality legal services.
What is Copyright Law?
Copyright law is a set of regulations that dictate how an author’s work can be used, as well as who can obtain ownership rights to the work. By filing a copyright application with the U.S. Copyright Office, one obtains exclusive rights, which includes the right to control reproduction, modification, or usage of a particular work, including its exploitation over media such as television, radio, and the internet.
What Liable Works Are Protected by Copyright Law?
Copyright law protects most original works of authorship, ranging from photography, music, and movie scripts to computer software and multimedia works. Literary works, including books, plays, and magazine publications, are also fully protected.
What Types of Property Does the Copyright Protect?
Copyright protection covers tangible and intangible works, including motion pictures, paintings, sculptures, books, music, recordings, computer programs, images, and web content.
What Are the Benefits of Copyright Protection in New York?
The main benefit of filing for copyright protection in New York is that it helps protect the author’s work from unauthorized use and distribution. Copyright registration also serves as evidence that the author is the original creator of the work, and as such, may give the author the legal right to sue someone who infringes upon their copyright. A copyright registration is a powerful asset that can be used in contract negotiations, lease agreements, and estate planning.
What Are Copyright Limitations?
Though copyright law provides authors with extensive legal protection, it also has some limits. For instance, the copyrights for certain creative works, such as slogans and titles, are not protected in New York. Additionally, facts, ideas, processes, systems, and methods, are generally not producers of copyright protection, as these are not considered to be “original” works of authorship.
What Do I Need to Do to Secure a Copyright in New York?
In order to secure a copyright in New York, the author must first submit a copyright registration application with the U.S. Copyright Office. This application must include the work being registered, the name of the “author” (or creator) of the work, and, depending on the type of work being registered, a “deposit” copy of the work (such as an audio or video recording, or a print-copy).
In addition to the registration process, authors can also voluntarily register their works with the U.S. Copyright Office using the Creative Commons Initiative. While the Creative Commons Initiative does not provide copyright protection for the author’s work, registering with the Creative Commons Initiative sends out a message to potential users that the author is serious about protecting their work.
The process for registering a copyright in New York is relatively simple. However, it is strongly recommended that authors seek experienced legal advice from an attorney who is knowledgeable in the local regulations on copyright. Through UpCounsel’s network of experienced lawyers, business owners can access high quality legal services on demand, allowing them to obtain the customized advice they need, when they need it.
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