You may be concerned as to whether pursuing copyrights for your work is something that you should even be worried about. How do you know what kinds of works are covered by these laws? It will help you to know what the function of these laws are in comparison to trademarks and patents. So let’s go over the basics first. A copyright protects original works of authorship, meaning intellectual property that is the expression of the author. It includes music, poetry, movies, novels computer software and any other kind of intellectual property.
A discovery or something like an invention is not covered under copyright laws because it is different from intellectual property. An invention would be covered under patent laws. Logos or other designs, phrases, words, or symbols are covered under the law for trademarks and help to show the difference between one product and another. These are very helpful laws, and talking to someone who is educated in them, such as an attorney, will help you to determine what your particular product or service can be covered under.
As soon as you create your work, it is protected immediately by copyright laws, as long as it is in a tangible form and not just an idea in your head. Regardless as to whether you have published your work or not, it is immediately protected, so you do not have to register in order to be protected. If you want to sue someone for infringement, however, you will need to register.
Registering provides you with a certificate of registration and allows you to list your authorship as a part of the public record. It does cost fees to register, so be sure to inquire with the appropriate sources about how to register your work. Registering within 5 years provides prima facie evidence when produced within a court of law, and can be very helpful for protecting your rights if you suspect that someone may have taken your work.
Your copyright may be good in other countries if those countries have made agreements with the United States to honor them. There is a list of countries available, along with the particular guidelines in those particular countries available through Circular 38a, titled International Copyright Relations of the United States. It may be to your benefit to register, and you can ask an experienced and educated source for more information if you are interested in pursuing a copyright on your work.
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