Copyright Law

Copyright protection is available to authors of original creative works involving literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, which include poetry, novels, photographs, movies, songs, computer software, telephone applications, architectural drawings and drafts, and numerous other works of authorship.  Copyright law protects such original works from any unauthorized use concerning copying, distribution, performance, display or the creation of derivative works based upon the original work.  Because the digital age facilitates the unauthorized reproduction or infringement of a copyrighted work with unprecedented ease, copyright protection is particularly important in today’s world.

While copyright right protection attaches to an original work of authorship upon the creation of the work, registration of the work with the United States Copyright Office is necessary should one seek to protect the work from infringement in a court of law.  Also, registration within 3 months of the first publication of a work may be a prerequisite to obtaining statutory damages and attorney’s fees for any such infringement.

The attorneys at Fitzgerald & Isaacson, LLP have advised various clients on copyright law, ranging from large businesses to small businesses as well as individuals in a diverse array of industries, and are ready to assist you with all of your copyright needs, including:

• Copyright registration
• Copyright licensing
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)
• Copyright infringement litigation (prosecution and defense)
• General Public License (GPL)