As more businesses go online, intellectual property is becoming something none of us can live without. Stealing ideas and content is easier than ever, which is why having a copyright attorney is critical. If you are a creator, artist, or entrepreneur in Tampa, the fear of theft has almost certainly crossed your mind. Nobody wants their hard work to be ripped out from under their feet. However, if it is, the lawyers at Larson and Larson can help you fight for your authorship rights.
What Types of Intellectual Property Are Protected by Law?
A copyright attorney in Tampa can help you deal with copyright infringement and protection under the Copyright Law of the United States. To be protectable, your work must be original, whether it is published or unpublished. However, the law does not protect vague or intangible ideas. The major categories of works that are protectable by copyright are the following:
- Literary creations (this includes computer programs)
- Musical works, including any accompanying words
- Dramatic productions, including any accompanying music
- Pantomimes and choreographic works
- Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural creations
- Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
- Sound recordings
- Architectural works
Some intellectual property may fall under these broader categories. However, this is not an all-inclusive list. If you are concerned about a particular group, discuss your work with your copyright attorney in Tampa to determine your creation is afforded legal protection.
What Is the Copyright Time Limit?
The United States government wishes to encourage creativity and the continued development of new intellectual works. Therefore, a time limit is placed on your protected property. Under copyright law, a work is protected for 70 years after the life of the author. For works mad for hire and anonymous works, the duration of copyright is 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation. Thus, the continued protection of your work after your death will allow your estate to maintain your copyrights and the financial rewards from your works of authorship.
Once the period expires, the work becomes part of the public domain for use by others. However, you and your family receive a decent amount of time to reap the benefits from your creations, and if your work is infringed during this period, your copyright attorney serving Tampa can help.
What Can I Do with My Copyright?
You have six exclusive benefits that you may maintain for yourself or license to others.
You have the exclusive right to:
- Reproduce your creations.
- Create derivative works based on your original creation.
- Distribute reprints of your work to the public. This includes selling, renting, leasing, lending, or even transferring your ownership.
- Publicly perform your production, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, and choreographic works, pantomimes, motion pictures, and other audiovisual works.
- Publicly display your work, in the case of literary, musical, dramatic, choreographic, pictorial, graphic, pantomime, and sculptural pieces. This also includes individual images of motion pictures or other audiovisual creations, as stated in US Code 106.
- Digitally transmit sound recordings.
Has Your Intellectual Property Been Compromised? Call Larson & Larson
If your original creations are stolen, resold without your permission, or compromised in any way in Tampa or beyond, you have the legal right to take action against the violator. A copyright attorney at Larson and Larson can help you through the legal process. Do not let the violation continue any longer. Call us at (727) 546-0660 to discuss the details of your case.