Copyright Registration and Litigation

Copyright law protects creative expression. Behind every copyright lawsuit is a creative work whether a song, painting, motion picture, software code, architectural work, or other work and a copyright holder determined that another has misappropriated that creative work. Copyright litigation has reached unprecedented volume and complexity in the information age, where ubiquitous digital technology seems to reinvent copyright daily.

Copyright law rewards the informed and the vigilant. Those who anticipate the possibility of a copyright dispute before litigation is imminent are best protected under United States copyright laws. A business or individual in the business of creating copyrighted works is well-served in hiring copyright counsel during the initial creative stages. The federal Copyright Act offers strong incentives and benefits to copyright holders who register their works with the federal Copyright Office before such works are misappropriated by others. For businesses, especially businesses that thrive on the creative expression of their employees, a cohesive copyright policy developed with assistance from counsel could enhance an intellectual property portfolio and position a business to protect its intellectual property rights. We advise clients during the initial creation of a copyrighted work, help register copyrighted works with the Copyright Office, and represent clients in copyright litigation.

Local authors have chosen our firm to vindicate their right to exclude others from copying and profiting off their creative works. When local author Brad Peterson, a writer of health and fitness books, wanted counsel for his copyright lawsuit against publishing company DataWorks and health-club giant Wellbridge, he came to us. We have also counseled and represented numerous other clients in copyright issues.