Entertainment law is a branch of law concerned specifically with the property issues that surround pieces of entertainment like books, movies and visual arts. Protecting work from being plagiarized or otherwise exploited is a great concern for those working in the entertainment industries. In New Jersey, the intellectual property rights of artists are protected by several laws that includes copyright and trademark provisions.

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. The consent of the copyright holder for others to use the protected material is called a license. In New Jersey, the copyright holder has the exclusive privilege of negotiating any licenses it issues. 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 any noticeable characteristic that is associated with something, such as the symbol for a commercial brand. Trademarks can be key to establishing product recognition in the entertainment industry. 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 New Jersey Attorney Help?

In Butler, 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 New Jersey