Copyright Attorneys

All creative works produced in the U.S. have some automatic copyright protections. However, many people do not understand the importance of registering works with the United States Copyright Office. You cannot legally enforce copyright protections without an official copyright registration.

If you’re an artist, musician, author, or another creative professional, understanding the ins and outs of copyright law is essential. At True Lawyer, our skilled copyright attorneys in Chicago have thorough knowledge and experience navigating copyright law. We’ve helped numerous clients register their works and file copyright infringement claims, protecting their creative works.

Contact our True Lawyer team today at (312) 442-0057 to learn more about our copyright legal services and book your strategy session.

What Is a Copyright?

A copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects creative works recorded in a medium. This protection can apply to a range of works, such as:
  • Books
  • Music recordings
  • Photos
  • Paintings
  • Digital art
  • Plays
  • Poems
  • Video recordings
  • Sound recordings
  • Blog posts
  • Architectural works
  • And more
In order for a creator to have copyright protection for a work, the work must be fixed in a tangible medium and have a minimal degree of creativity.

What Rights Does Copyright Provide?

Every creative work that meets the above criteria has automatic copyright protection. This protection gives copyright owners a few exclusive rights:
  • The right to reproduce the work
  • The right to prepare derivative works from the work
  • The right to distribute copies of the work
  • The right to perform or display the work publicly

Additionally, copyright protections give copyright owners in Chicago exclusive rights to authorize others to exercise the above rights. For example, a copyright owner of a movie can authorize movie theaters to show their film.

Copyright Ownership vs. Registration

As soon as you create an artistic, literary, dramatic, or musical work, you become a copyright owner of that work. As a result, you have the above protections over your work.

However, you cannot legally enforce your copyright protections without copyright registration. Copyright registration is not mandatory in the U.S. However, you can choose to register your work to obtain the right to enforce your exclusive copyright protections through litigation.

This distinction is important. If you fear that someone will steal your work, and you want to be able to take legal action for creative theft, you will need to go through the copyright registration process.

Chicago Copyright Attorneys Can Help

HELP YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR COPYRIGHT PROTECTIONS

Understanding what protections you have under copyright law is essential to preventing theft and knowing how to respond to potential infringements. However, copyright law is detailed and complex. As a result, you may be unsure which copyright protections are implied and which you need to register for through the Copyright Office.

When you work with our True Lawyer team, we can break down how copyright laws apply to your specific creative works. You can feel confident asking us any questions you may have about copyright protections.

ASSIST YOU IN DETERMINING WHICH WORKS TO REGISTER

If you are a professional creator — such as a professional photographer or musician — it may make sense to register a copyright for all of the works you publish. However, if you are a casual artist or create poems as a hobby, registering your works may not be necessary.

When you hire our copyright lawyer team in Chicago, you can feel confident in our thorough copyright knowledge to assist your intellectual property decisions. We can help you determine which works to register with the Copyright Office and guide you through the registration process.

DEFEND YOU AGAINST COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

If you have previously registered your work with the Copyright Office and believe someone has infringed upon your copyright protections, you may need to take legal action. Our team can guide you through the legal process, help you gather evidence, and defend you in court.

Contact our team today to schedule a strategy session with the True Lawyer copyright attorneys in Chicago, IL.

Copyright Law FAQ

What Questions Should I Ask a Copyright Lawyer?

Before you hire a copyright lawyer, we recommend asking them the following questions:

  • Do you have specific experience with copyright law?
  • How many clients are you currently assisting?
  • What services can you provide me?
  • What is your pricing strategy?

Is There Such Thing as a Copyright Lawyer?

Copyright lawyers typically fall under the broader category of intellectual property law. These lawyers have extensive experience navigating intellectual property protections for their clients, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

Do Copyright Attorneys Work on Contingency?

Our office does not work on a contingency basis. To learn more about our pricing strategy for your specific matter, whether you are searching for copyright attorneys or trademark attorneys in Chicago, please give our office a call at (312) 442-0057.

Have Questions? Contact Us.

True Lawyer 73 W Monroe St Suite 100 Chicago, IL 60603 (312) 442-0057