Entertainment law includes legal services, such as contracts and copyrights, that are aimed at safeguarding 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. In Pennsylvania, the intellectual property rights of artists are safeguarded by several laws that includes copyright and trademark provisions.

What is A Copyright?

A copyright includes the privilege to exclusively produce a given form of entertainment, and the copyright holder must give consent for others to be able to use it. Under Pennsylvania law, the holder of a copyright has the right to negotiate licenses for the production of the copyrighted material that others may want to use. Entertainment law controls whether you can get a copyright, how to apply for one, and how long it lasts once issued. A copyright will allow you to profit from licensing your material to others, or it may simply protect your rights in the piece of entertainment for the future.

What is a Trademark?

A symbol or other notable visual characteristic that people associate with a brand is a trademark. Visual cues are key in the entertainment industry to create product recognition. The U.S. patent and trademark office if responsible for issuing trademark rights, and once issued trademarks are permanent. They can go a long way to create brand identity.

How Can a Pennsylvania Attorney Help?

An attorney in Dickson City has knowledge of entertainment law in your area, and can give you the information you need to decide whether you need a trademark or copyright. Also, Lawyers may give direction on how to best proceed when seeking a copyright or trademark recognition in Pennsylvania.