Entertainment law is a branch of law concerned specifically with the property issues that surround 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. To protect the intellectual property rights of artists, copyright and trademark laws are available to those working in Missouri.
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. In order to comply with the entertainment laws in Missouri, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and obtain a license or contract from you first. The procedure for getting a copyright and how long it lasts once issued are governed by entertainment law. Aside from protecting your property rights, getting a copyright will allow you to sell licenses to others.
What is a Trademark?
A particular commercial brand may have a symbol or other notable visual characteristic to serve as a trademark. 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 Missouri Attorney Help?
Deciding whether you need a trademark or copyright is often a decision best made with the advice of an attorney in Kansas City that has specialized in entertainment law. The filing process in Missouri can also go more smoothly with an attorney to guide you.