So You Want To Register A Copyright

A copyright application can be filed by an author of the work, the owner of all the exclusive rights in the work, the owner of some but not all of the rights in the work or a duly authorized agent of the preceding. See section 402 of https://www.copyright.gov/comp3/chap400/ch400-application.pdf

An authorized agent does not have to be an attorney, but can be a legal guardian, a business manager, a literary agent or an attorney. See section 409 of the preceding link.

You can file a copyright application electronically at www.copyright.gov. The Copyright office fee for filing a copyright application, electronic filing, for a single author, same claimant, one work and not for hire is $45. A more complicated electronic filing Copyright office fee for using the standard form is $65. Paper filings cost more ($125.00). An usually takes an attorney about one hour to gather the necessary information and file a copyright application, although that can vary depending on the number of works to be registered.

Copyright is a type of intellectual property often overlooked by corporate managers. A wide variety of materials may be copyrighted and the cost of registering the copyright is low.

The types of items which may be registered under U.S. copyright law include:

• Printed materials
• Product catalogs
• Software
• Advertising materials, including photographs
• Technical manuals
• Training materials
• Music
• Works of visual art in traditional and new media
• Web sites
• Architectural plans

Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A. will advise you in all aspects of copyright law and inform you of the simple steps your staff may take to achieve copyright registration and protection.

Call 952.563.3000 or send an e-mail to arrange for a consultation.

Copyright Enforcement and Litigation

Copyrights may be enforced, but unlike a patent, a copyright protects only the manner in which the underlying idea is expressed and not the idea itself. For that reason, disputes over copyrights involve highly subjective interpretations of what constitutes or does not constitute copyright infringement.

Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A. actively defends the rights and interests of clients in matters relating to copyrighted materials. Often, we negotiate a solution that removes the offending materials from distribution. When necessary, we will litigate matters involving copyrighted materials and other areas of intellectual property law. We also take action through the U.S. Customs office to prevent the importation of materials that violate your copyrights.

Copyrights, much like trademarks and trade dress, help you differentiate your business from others and create barriers for competitors. Let Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A. advise you in these matters.

For a consultation with a copyright lawyer at Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A. call 952.563.3000 or send us an e-mail. Located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, we serve clients in Minnesota, throughout the country and around the world.