Copyright Law

Protecting the foundation of your business begins with ensuring the intellectual property is secure and properly documented. Copyright registration is a critical step each business must take to protect your innovative ideas and future success.

At Mullin Law, PC, we have the experience and knowledge to understand all copyright issues and work with our clients to guard their creative work and innovative ideas. It is our goal to define a strategy that shields your intellectual assets from a changing global market and possible infringement.

About Copyright:

Copyright is a type of protection given to “original works of authorship” that include literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other intellectual work including software and architectural plans. In the United States, copyright protection is automatic. Protection begins immediately upon creation of a work – but a copyrighted work must be registered with the U.S. Library of Congress before its owner may sue to enforce his or her ownership rights.

Copyright registration serves several purposes, including:

• It establishes a public record of the copyright claim
• If made before or within five years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate
• If a copyrighted work is registered within three months after first publication or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner
• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U.S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies

For advice on U.S. copyright law or how we can help register your copyrighted works with the U.S. Library of Congress, please contact us at 972-931-0022.