Entertainment Law refers to services, such as copyrights and contracts, that deal specifically with entertainment, like movies, books and films. Plagiarism and other types of exploitation often threaten the products of those who work in the entertainment industries. To protect the intellectual property rights of artists, copyright and trademark laws are available to those working in California.

What is A Copyright?

A copyright includes the privilege to exclusively produce a certain form of entertainment, and the copyright holder must give consent for others to be able to use it. In order to comply with the entertainment laws in California, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and obtain a license or contract from you first. A copyright does not last forever, and all procedures surrounding copyrights are governed by state entertainment laws. You will want to familiarize yourself with the specifics, whether you want to simply protect your property rights or you are interested in selling licenses for your work.

What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a symbol or other notable visual characteristic that is associated with a specific commercial brand. In the entertainment industry, they help to establish product recognition. A trademark must be registered with the U.S. patent and trademark office, and it does not expire. With a trademark, a company may begin to establish brand identity.

How Can a California Attorney Help?

Deciding whether you need a trademark or copyright is often a decision best made with the advice of an attorney in Dixon that has specialized in entertainment law. The filing process in California can also go more smoothly with an attorney to guide you.