Entertainment law includes legal services, such as contracts and copyrights, that are aimed at protecting pieces of entertainment like books, movies and visual arts. Plagiarism and other types of exploitation often threaten the products of those who work in the entertainment industries. To protect the intellectual property rights of artists, copyright and trademark laws are available to those working in Tennessee.

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 Tennessee, 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 symbol or other notable visual characteristic that people associate with a brand is a trademark. Visual cues are key in the entertainment industry 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 Tennessee Attorney Help?

Deciding whether you need a trademark or copyright is often a decision best made with the advice of an attorney in Lakeland that has specialized in entertainment law. The filing process in Tennessee can also go more smoothly with an attorney to guide you.