Entertainment law offers services such as contracts and copyrights that are specifically designed for pieces of entertainment like books, movies and visual arts. Working in the entertainment industry, you will want to protect your work from being exploited or plagiarized. In Maine, the intellectual property rights of artists are protected by several laws that includes copyright and trademark provisions.

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 Maine 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 specific commercial brand. In the entertainment industry, they help to establish product recognition. Trademarks do not expire. They are obtained through registration with the U.S. patent and trademark office. Consumers recognize brands better when they have associated trademarks.

How Can a Maine Attorney Help?

In Standish, 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 Maine