Entertainment law offers services such as contracts and copyrights that are particularly designed for pieces of entertainment like books, movies and visual arts. In the entertainment industry, safeguarding your work from being exploited or plagiarized by others is an imminent concern. Artists have certain intellectual property rights in Illinois, which are safeguarded in part by copyright and trademark laws.
What is A Copyright?
With a copyright, a party has the right to exclusively produce a given form of entertainment. Others who want to use it must first get the consent of the copyright holder. In order to comply with the entertainment laws in Illinois, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and get a license or contract from you first. Whether you can get 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?
A trademark is a symbol or other notable visual characteristic that is associated with an individual commercial brand. In the entertainment industry, they help to establish product recognition. Trademarks do not expire. They are acquired through registration with the U.S. patent and trademark office. Consumers recognize brands better when they have associated trademarks.
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 Rockford that has experienced in entertainment law. The filing process in Illinois can also go more smoothly with an attorney to guide you.