Entertainment Copyright Lawyer — Safeguarding Your Creations in the Industry

All creative works hold value. This is true for everyone ranging from a rookie artist at a local market to a famous sculptor with international acclaim. However, few creative works hold as much value as those within the entertainment industry. That’s why the field’s professionals must safeguard their intellectual property (IP). An entertainment copyright lawyer can assist in this process.

At Katie Charleston, PC, our legal team understands the value of ideas within show business. There’s so much economic value tied to these properties that corporations will do everything in their power to maintain ownership over valuable creations. Regardless of which level of the industry you’re at, you should take this just as seriously. Our entertainment copyright lawyers are here to help.

Do You Really Need to Copyright Entertainment Content?

If you’ve considered copyrighting your creative works, you’ve no doubt heard someone mention that federal registration isn’t necessary. After all, the law states that copyright protections exist from the moment a creation is put into tangible form. This means a written script, a recorded dance, a filmed movie, and other material properties are already considered copyrighted.

However, it’s important to note that a variety of benefits available with copyright protection only come with federal registration. Of course, many creators simply think having their works widely available to the public is enough to protect their work. After all, everyone knows it’s theirs. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

For instance, arguably the most popular horror film ever — Night of the Living Dead — was immediately available for any company to use as they saw fit. This was due to a simple error that left the film without a registered copyright. Don’t let this or something similar happen to you. Contact our entertainment copyright lawyers today.

What Entertainment Industry Content Should Be Copyrighted?

By this point, the importance of copyright registration in the entertainment industry should be clear. You might now wonder what type of content needs this protection. After all, there are a wide variety of content creators within the industry. Put simply, any original creative work should be registered once it’s in a tangible form.

Such properties include:

• Literary works (e.g., novels)
• Musical works (e.g., soundtracks)
• Dramatic works (e.g. screenplays)
• Choreographic works (e.g., dance routines)
• Audiovisual works (e.g., television shows, movies)

Clearly, the entertainment industry involves a wide variety of creative works. And while the above examples make up a significant segment of the field, there are many other creative works that may need intellectual property protection as well. If you want to ensure your works are safeguarded, contact our entertainment copyright attorneys today.

What Are the Benefits of Copyrighting Your Works?

If you’re still on the fence regarding copyrighting your work, it’s important to understand that an unprotected work is always in danger. Even if you think access to your creation is restricted, the possibility exists that someone could misuse it. Avoiding this is just one of the many benefits of copyright protection in the entertainment industry. These benefits include:

• Grants complete control over how your works are used
• Creates a presumption of ownership
• Allows creators to earn money by licensing copyrighted works
• Companies are more likely to invest in works that are copyright protected
• Ability to seek additional damages if copyright infringement occurs
• Provides public notice that you intend to fully protect your works

While you don’t have to register a copyright federally, failing to do so will miss out on a variety of benefits. Remember, you only need to register the creations that you truly want to protect. If you’re fine with others profiting from your ideas and works, registration is not necessary. However, this can be very costly within show business.

Let our entertainment copyright attorneys help.

Contact an Entertainment Copyright Lawyer Today

The entertainment industry is one of the most demanding fields anyone could work in. The competitive nature of the business is unmatched, and unlike other industries, it is ideas and creativity that hold value. As such, it’s imperative that you protect your creations at all costs. An experienced intellectual property law firm can help in this endeavor.

At Katie Charleston, PC, our team of legal professionals is committed to helping our clients safeguard their works. While some safeguards exist by simply putting your ideas into a tangible form, this industry demands more than a minimal approach to protection. Contact us today by calling (317) 663-9190 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Our entertainment copyright lawyers are ready to assist.