Welcome

Welcome to the intellectual property blog for West & Associates. As experts working on the cutting edge of legal matters we will work diligently to provide the most current information available about Patent, Trademark and Copyright Licensing, Procurment (Prosecution) and Litigation. Additional information can always be accessed directly on the United States Patent & Trademark Office website (www.uspto.gov), the U.S. Copyright Office website (www.copyright.gov) or the website for West & Associates (www.westpatentlaw.com).



Copyrights

WHAT IS A COPYRIGHT?  DO I NEED A COPYRIGHT?  DO I ALREADY HAVE ONE?

A copyright is a legal right that covers published and unpublished literary, scientific and artistic works, whatever the form of expression, provided that the works are fixed in a tangible means of expression. This means that if you can see it, hear it and/or touch it - it may be protected. Whether your creation is an essay, a play, a song, a funky original dance move, a photograph, HTML coding, a computer graphic, a recording on tape or saved to a hard drive, it may be protected. Copyright laws grant the creator the exclusive right to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute, perform and display the work publicly.
When a work is fixed in a tangible means of expression, the work acquires some copyright protection, which - like any other form of property or business asset - can be bought, sold, licensed, etc. However, to acquire full rights, an author should file with the national Copyright Office to obtain a copyright registration.

Questions to Consider When Exploring Copyright Protection:
 
     •Did I come up with this on my own?

     •Did I base this work on any other work?

     •Where/How will I sell my work?

     •Will people buy my work?

     •Can I afford a copyright?

     •Is a copyright worth the money?