Four different legal tools, four different jobs. Here’s how to tell which one you actually need. Even aspiring lawyers get mixed up about copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property concepts. Once, in law school, I told a classmate that I needed to “patent a blog post” I’d written. He pushed his glasses up the bridgeContinue reading “Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, and Trade Secrets: What Kind of Intellectual Property Rights Apply?”
Tag Archives: IP rights
What is Work for Hire?
Hiring someone to create content does not automatically entitle you to ownership unless a work for hire agreement is established. Copyright law specifies rights for both employees and independent contractors, with clear conditions for work for hire status. Written agreements are crucial to ensure proper rights transfer and ownership.
You Can Negotiate Intellectual Property Rights
Did you know that you can negotiate intellectual property rights with your clients or contractors? Many people assume intellectual property, or IP, rights are binary — either one party holds them or the other does. They may feel backed up against a wall when they read a contract with provisions about work-for-hire, exclusivity, “perpetual throughout theContinue reading “You Can Negotiate Intellectual Property Rights”
Little Known Tips for Using Images from the Web Legally
Lawyers emphasize the importance of understanding the legal aspects of using online images. Best practices include discussing image sourcing with third-party service providers, maintaining copyright management information, and being cautious with identifiable subjects. Taking screenshots and ensuring compliance minimizes risks related to copyright infringement, right of publicity, and privacy concerns.
Life Rights: Should You or Shouldn’t You Seek Them?
Independent filmmakers face dilemmas regarding whether to secure life rights for individuals’ stories or proceed without them. While copyright law allows for creative freedom in using real-life events, risks like defamation remain. Consulting the subject can enhance accuracy and quality, but independent creators often weigh their budget against potential legal pitfalls.