Entertainment Law refers to services, such as copyrights and contracts, that deal specifically with entertainment, like movies, books and films. It is an imminent concern for those who work in the entertainment industries that their work is not plagiarized or exploited. To protect 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 certain 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 any licenses for the price it chooses. 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 particular 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 Hawaii Attorney Help?

In Lihue, many Attorneys have specialized in the field of entertainment law. If you feel you need a copyright or a trademark, legal experts can explain the benefits and guide you through the process of obtaining them in Hawaii