The expression of ideas can take many forms: a danceable song; a beautiful picture; a creative home design; an action filled movie or a stunning sculpture. Copyrights protect nearly every form of expression, regardless of how artistic it may be.

While copying is the sincerest form of flattery, it can also have devastating impacts on a business. By promptly filing copyright registration applications, an artisan or company can protect his or her business from those who wish to profit from a new expressive work without expending the time and effort to bring it to fruition. If the registration is filed within three months of publication or prior to infringement, the copyright owner can be awarded attorney’s fees and statutory damages against infringers.

A copyright exists from the time when any creative expression is formed. Thus, it is critical for companies and individuals to understand the potential exposure of copying designs, etc., even if there is no copyright notice. Additionally, ownership of designs created in independent contractor relationships are often not what the parties presume them to be. Thus, care must be taken to ensure that designs used in advertising and the like are 1) not infringing and 2) actually owned by the company. Bateman IP Law Group is experienced in protecting copyrightable works, and in preparation of “work-for-hire” and other agreements to ensure that the proper party owns the copyrights when all is said and done.