Entertainment law offers services such as contracts and copyrights that are specifically designed for pieces of entertainment like books, movies and visual arts. In the entertainment industry, protecting your work from being exploited or plagiarized by others is an imminent concern. Copyright and trademark laws protect artists in Illinois, 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 certain form of entertainment, and the copyright holder must give consent for others to be able to use it. Under Illinois law, the holder of a copyright has the right to negotiate licenses for the production of the copyrighted material that others might want to use. 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 symbol or other notable visual characteristic that people associate with a brand is a trademark. Visual cues are key in the entertainment industry to establish product recognition. Trademarks, unlike copyrights, do not expire. However, they must be registered with the U.S. patent and trademark office. Once you have your trademark, establishing brand identity becomes much easier.

How Can a Illinois Attorney Help?

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