Entertainment law is the package of services, including contracts and copyrights, that is intended for 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 Virginia.
What is A Copyright?
A party holding a copyright can exclusively produce a certain form of entertainment, requiring any others who want to use it to get consent first. In order to comply with the entertainment laws in Virginia, someone seeking to use your copyrighted material must negotiate and obtain a license or contract from you first. Entertainment law determines the procedure for getting a copyright and how long it lasts once issued. These concerns are important as you go about protecting your property rights or licensing your work to others.
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 Virginia Attorney Help?
Entertainment law is sometimes an area of specialization for Attorneys in Alexandria, so you may want to speak with them to find out whether you need a trademark or copyright. Also once you do apply, attorneys serve as good guides through the process of obtaining intellectual property right in Virginia.