Entertainment law includes legal services, such as contracts and copyrights, that are aimed at protecting 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. Copyright and trademark laws protect artists in Pennsylvania, and are among a body of laws that defines the intellectual property rights of those working in the entertainment field.

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 Pennsylvania, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and obtain a license or contract from you first. 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 particular 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 Pennsylvania Attorney Help?

In Port Vue, 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 Pennsylvania