Entertainment Law refers to services, such as copyrights and contracts, that deal particularly with entertainment, like movies, books and films. It is an imminent concern for those who work in the entertainment industries that their work is never plagiarized or exploited. To safeguard the intellectual property rights of artists, copyright and trademark laws are available to those working in Hawaii.

What is A Copyright?

A copyright is the legal right to exclusively produce a given medium, such as art, movies and writing. Others are prevented from using or reproducing your copyrighted materials without your consent. When a copyright holder gives consent for others to use the protected material, it is called a license. A copyright holder in Hawaii also has the exclusive privilege of selling all licenses for the price it chooses. Whether you can acquire a copyright, the procedure for getting one, and how long it lasts once issued are questions determined by entertainment law. With a copyright, you can protect your property rights for the future, or you can simply start licensing it to others.

What is a Trademark?

Commercial brands sometimes choose visible characteristics or symbols that are intended to be linked with their products. These symbols are called trademarks. They can go a long way in the entertainment industry to help buyers better recognize your products. A trademark must be registered with the U.S. patent and trademark office, and it does not expire. With a trademark, a company can begin to establish brand identity.

How Can a Hawaii Attorney Help?

Entertainment law is sometimes an area of specialization for Lawyers in Kihei, so you may want to speak with them to find out whether you need a trademark or copyright. Also once you do apply, attorneys serve as good guides through the process of obtaining intellectual property right in Hawaii.