If you are an author of an original work, it is imperative you find the right copyright attorney serving Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area — Larson and Larson. With more than 25 years of experience in the Tampa Bay area, we have protected intellectual property rights for local and international clients. Intellectual property is becoming increasingly important. Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original expressions, including works of art.
What Exactly is Copyright?
Copyright protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Said simply, copyright protects expressions of art. It gives the author certain exclusive rights to the work for a specific period of time. The duration of a copyright is typically the life of the author plus seventy years. Some of the most popular copyrightable forms include:
- Literary works
- Motion pictures
- Choreography
- Paintings
- Photographs
- Computer software
- Musical compositions
- Television broadcasts
What will I gain from copyrighting my work?
Our firm has advised many of our Clearwater clients of the benefits of copyrighting. Copyright owners are entitled to certain exclusive rights regarding your work. These rights include:
- Importing or exporting the work
- Transmitting or displaying the work
- Selling or assigning these rights to others
- Performing or displaying work publicly
- Reproducing the work
- Creating derivative works
How Do I Copyright My Work?
If you are confused on the steps of copyrighting your work, you can talk to our copyright attorneys. Our copyright attorneys have served Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area for more than 25 years. Copyrighting your work is necessary for recording the copyright on public record and enforcing copyright laws regarding your work.
How is Copyright Different From a Patent or Trademark?
While Larson and Larson assists Clearwater clients in protecting and enforce all aspects of intellectual property, it is important to know which form of protection is best for your work. Patents protect inventions. Trademarks protects symbols, phrases, designs, words, and sounds identifying the source of the goods or services. And, as discussed above copyright protects original works of authorship.
So What Comes Next?
If you are in the Clearwater area and wish to protect your work, contact one of our copyright attorneys to discuss your options. If you have a copyright and believe someone may be infringing your exclusive rights our copyright attorneys at Larson and Larson may be able to help. If you have questions regarding the process or the benefits of submitting a copyright, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 546-0660.