Intellectual Property (which is also known as IP) is a highly complex area of Law that can be confusing. IP is mainly divided into 4 sections that apply to the protection of different ideas and works, depending on their type.
One of the main recognisable fields is Copyright. What is Copyright, how do you know if your work can be protected by it and how do you get Copyrights? An Intellectual Property Lawyer will be the best person to advise you. However, why not learn a little more about IP first, so you feel more comfortable when you talk to your solicitor?
What can Copyright protect? Is my work protected by Copyright? These are the basic questions you may ask yourself when you first start dealing with Intellectual Property. Copyright protects:
- literature: eg novels, lyrics, articles and sometimes, databases;
- performing arts: eg a dancer or a mime artist;
- art: eg paintings, photography, maps, engravings, designs;
- typographical arrangements and layouts: for example a novel or any other published work;
- recordings: eg sound, broadcasts, music, film.
If your creation or work falls into one of these categories, you can be protected by copyright. An Intellectual Property Lawyer will help you with the steps and also to register for other rights your IP might be eligible for.
Once registered, anyone wanting to use or copy your work will have to ask for your permission first. This type of permission means that they can then use your work for all sorts of things i.e. publishing on a website or using your song on an advert.
Consider the fact that Copyright does not protect plain unfixated ideas. For your idea to protected it must be fixated in writing.
As well as your work being protected by Copyright, your IP lawyer will discuss any other potential rights you may have acquired. For example, if the work is a compilation i.e. like an album, then you might have to apply for individual rights. Ask your Intellectual Property Lawyer, too, about any benefits open to you when registering as a Trademark, a Patent or maybe a Design.
Getting the right intellectual property advice at an early stage is a simple step but one which could save you a lot of heartache, distress and profit or royalties should your material be stolen or abused by infringement on copying. Talk the issues over with specialist Intellectual Property Lawyer before going ahead with your project to make sure you are fully protected
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