The Dandridge Firm, PLC is a boutique law practice, with a focus on the unique areas of Non Profit Tax Exemption, Non Profit Law, and Trademark and Copyright Law. By concentrating in these very narrow areas of the law, we are better able to assist you in navigating the legal complexities facing your IRS tax exemption or intellectual property matter.
If you need assistance in preparing your 501(c) tax exemption application, or obtaining protection of your valuable business ideas by way of trademarks or copyrights, you are at the right place. Our staff is prepared to advocate for you, and to assist you in economically and effectively reaching your goals.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Copyright Basics
Individuals and business owners often need to protect their valuable work via copyright. Oftentimes people are tripped up about what can be copyrighted and what protections copyright registration affords.
Copyright is a form of intellectual property protection that is granted to authors of, “original works of authorship," and is available for published and unpublished works. Works that can be copyright protected include literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Works that cannot be protected under copyright are facts, ideas, systems, and methods of operation.
The benefits of registering your original work(s) of authorship with the United States Copyright Office to receive copyright protection include: (1) registration creates a public record of the copyright claim and a certification of registration, (2) before an infringement suit may be filed, registration is necessary for works of U.S. origin, (3) after successful litigation, registered works are eligible for statutory damages and attorney’s fees, if registration occurs within three months after the publication of the work, (4) before or within five years of the publication, registration is considered sufficient evidence in a court of law, and (5) registration also allows the owner of a copyright to record the registration with the U.S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies.
-by Gloria Mason, Legal Assistant
We can prepare and file your US Copyright registration application. Should you want to learn more about this post or our services, please visit www.DandridgeLaw.com or email ContactUs@DandridgeLaw.com for a FREE Initial Consultation.
The Dandridge Law Firm Welcomes Legal Assistant, Gloria Mason
Gloria Mason is a Post-Bachelor paralegal student at Lansing Community College. Gloria received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Business Marketing from Florida State University. Prior to working as a Legal Assistant at The Dandridge Firm, Gloria interned as a Legal Advocate at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Unit and was a Youth Advocate and Street Law Workshop Instructor for the City of Lansing Teen Court. Gloria’s hobbies include tennis, golf, horseback riding, skiing, and writing poetry.
As a Legal Assistant, Gloria assists in client interviews, nonprofit, business, and intellectual property legal services, and is a featured writer for the firm's blog at www.DandridgeLaw.com.
Should you want to learn more about this post or our services, please visit www.DandridgeLaw.com or email ContactUs@DandridgeLaw.com for a FREE Initial Consultation.
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A trademark or servicemark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs, that identify and distinguish the source of goods or services. Clear identification of the source of the good or service via its trademark or servicemark is also referred to as brand recognition. Brand recognition is crucial to establishing your product or service in the market. Just think about the difference in brand perception when a coffee drinker sets eyes on a Starbucks® cup of coffee versus a cup of coffee from a local gas station.
Registering your trademark or servicemark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is vital to establishing strong brand recognition and protection of your valuable good or service name, logo, etc. The benefits of trademark and servicemark registration include: (1) notice to the public of the registrant’s claim of ownership of the trademark; (2) the ability to bring an action regarding the trademark in federal court; (3) using the U.S. registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and (4) the ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent the importation of infringing foreign goods.
The ™designation may be used anytime you claim rights in a mark, and may be posted after your mark while your trademark or servicemark registration application is being processed by the USPTO. However, the federal registration symbol ® may only be used after the USPTO officially registers the mark, and not while the application is pending.
-by Gloria Mason, Legal Assistant
We can prepare and file your trademark or servicemark registration application. Should you want to learn more about this post or our services, please visit www.DandridgeLaw.com or email ContactUs@DandridgeLaw.com for a FREE Initial Consultation.
Click the image below to watch our introduction video (high speed internet required; opens in new window).
About this Blog
The writings on this blog represent the personal views of the author. The information contained in the blog portion of this site is provided only as information for education purposes, and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
