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. Copyright and trademark laws safeguard artists in Iowa, and are among a body of laws that defines the intellectual property rights of those working in the entertainment field.

What is A Copyright?

A copyright includes the privilege to exclusively produce a given 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 Iowa, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and acquire a license or contract from you first. 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. Trademarks, unlike copyrights, do not expire. However, they must be registered with the U.S. patent and trademark office. Once you have your trademark, creating brand identity becomes much easier.

How Can a Iowa Attorney Help?

Entertainment law is sometimes an area of specialization for Lawyers in Waterloo, 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 Iowa.