What are the basics Copyright Protection?
|
Posted By: Aurelia Mitchell Durant on June 17, 2011 What are the basics Copyright Protection? The most basic level of copyright protection is automatic - the moment you produce a tangible work of art or other intellectual property and do not release your copyright to others, you are protected under US copyright law. That means the moment you write sheet music or record a song even with your laptop on your kitchen table, or paint a painting, or print a photograph, you have created a piece of intellectual property that is protected under copyright law. While it is no longer necessary under the terms of the Berne Convention which governs international property law, you can place the copyright symbol (©), followed by your name, on any material which is considered protected by copyright, and you have the right to do this yourself without any further registration. The only exception is sound recordings, where the rules are the same but the symbol is (℗) which stands for Phonogram. Using the Phonogram symbol is indeed recommended when distributing recorded material which is protected by copyright law, such as when you submit a recording of your original musical composition to a producer for consideration or advice. The registration is needed is when you want to secure distribution rights, such as when you record a full album or when you make prints of your original artwork for sale or even as promotional material. When you register your copyright through the U. S. Copyright Office, you are protecting yourself against violation of your copyright by securing the rights to file a lawsuit for copyright infringement. It also provides you with proof of copyright, so that no one can claim that you have infringed on someone else’s copyright by presenting copies of their works. It also protects against copying abroad because the U. S. Customs Service has the power to stop the import of goods that infringe upon U. S. copyrights. However, if you are just creating a work of intellectual property for private use or exhibition, or if it is a preliminary work that needs to be refined, such as a first draft of a novel or first performance of a musical work, there is usually no need to register your copyright. Simply writing the © or ℗ symbol on any surface of the work or on its packaging, such as on the back of a canvas or on a CD-ROM or DVD, will suffice in most cases until mass distribution is being considered. Contacting an attorney who specializes in intellectual property rights is the best way to clear up any misunderstandings regarding copyright law, as well as to obtain advice regarding how, when, and why to register. Aurelia Mitchell Durant, Esquire IS YOUR BRAND PROTECTED? www.ismybrandprotected.com info@ismybrandprotected.com 800-997-1220 If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Aurelia Mitchell Durant
Intellectual Property/Corporate Law Attorney, The AMD Group Rutgers Univ class of 1999 Member Since May 2011 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Ethiopia’s ancient written culture and the legacy of its Christian heritagePhoto: An ancient Ethiopian manuscript written in Geez displayed inside a traditional monastery.
Ethiopia occupies a distinctive place in world history, not only for its ancient civilization but ...more
Joel Savage • 53 Views • September 5th, 2026 |
 |
Hey my loves!! 💗💗How do we find out about new music, YouTube
Ms Unique Lashea introduced me to Masego
She also teaches us about life in the ATL, Mommy Life and Entrepreneurship
Connect with her connect with Busine ...more
Class of 2027 STAFF • 57 Views • September 4th, 2026 |
 |
Emerging R&B Artist DONO Shows Her Versatility With New Single@DONO #DONO
Socials:
Instagram - @justdono_
TikTok - @justdono_
YouTube - @justdono_
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5wyWKmk8XPhoJlD6rnw0eG?si=WRfCqMaaS7SRFnAo766fUw
DONO is an emerg ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 80 Views • September 4th, 2026 |
 |
The Antikythera Mechanism: The Ancient Greek Computer 1,400 Years AheadAn image of the Antikythera Mechanism’s bronze gears displayed in a museum, showing its intricate ancient engineering.
The discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism remains one of the most astonish ...more
Joel Savage • 70 Views • September 4th, 2026 |
 |
Children shot in Gaza: Why child casualties demand global actionAn image of injured Palestinian children receiving emergency treatment in an overcrowded Gaza hospital, showing trauma, vulnerability, and the urgent need for global protection.
Children in Gaz ...more
Joel Savage • 100 Views • September 3rd, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 73,312,036 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 122,234 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 80,824 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 64,260 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
