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. A license is when a copyright holder gives its consent for another to use the protected material. Negotiating license agreements in Missouri is the exclusive privilege of the copyright holder. Whether you can obtain 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 a specific commercial brand. 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 Normandy that has specialized in entertainment law. The filing process in Missouri can also go more smoothly with an attorney to guide you.