West Palm Beach Copyright Litigation Attorney
The Importance of Copyright Law for a Business’ Success under the Copyright Act of 1976
The Copyright Act of 1976 was a comprehensive revision of laws already in place and serves as the basis of current copyright law. One of the key issues it addressed was the advance in technology over the seven decades since the previous Copyright Act of 1909. Under Section 102 of the Act protection subsists in “original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.” The Act goes on to identify the following categories of work that qualify for copyright protection:
- Literary works;
- Musical works, including any accompanying words;
- Dramatic works, including any accompanying music;
- Pantomimes and choreographic works;
- Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works;
- Motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
- Sound recordings; and
- Architectural works.
Copyright protection is incredibly important for a business or individual because it allows them to profit from their creations. Without that protection, there would be little monetary incentive for creating new ideas, music, art, design, and entrepreneurship. Capitalism depends on copyright protection as much or more than most other laws. As described above, for any business creating images, architecture, art, or audio, copyright law is vital. Without copyright protection, there would be nothing discouraging other businesses from attempting to replicate or copy a creator’s original ideas, products, and works of art. the products and works of art of the original. All entrepreneurship would be lost. Additionally, copyright protects a company’s branding, as well as what it produces. Branding is an integral part of any successful business, as it allows customers to quickly identify that company or product from a multitude of others. Branding creates an identity and builds a reputation for the company that customers come to know and depend upon. While copyright protection does have it limits, the protections offered by today’s copyright laws are long-lasting. For works created after 1978, copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the creator’s death. This extended protection allows the creator’s surviving family to continue enjoying monetary rewards of their creation for a significant period of time before the work is put into public domain for the rest of society to freely enjoy. As more and more photos, videos, and music are shared online, copyright laws are being violated more frequently by more people, many unwittingly so.
If your business involves the creation, licensing or distribution of creative works, copyright protection is critical to your success and the continued viability of your business. At the West Palm Beach commercial litigation firm of Pike & Lustig, LLP, our intellectual property lawyers understand how vital it is to protect your copyright against infringement, or to defend against claims that your own work is infringing upon the copyright of others. When your livelihood is at stake, our attorneys take a strong, aggressive and proactive approach to ensure that your interests are protected.
Copyright Lawyers for the New Millennium
The West Palm Beach copyright litigation attorneys at the law offices of Pike & Lustig, LLP handle ground-breaking copyright infringement litigation that occurs in the wake of technology development. We have copyright knowledge in matters including the application of copyright law to the Internet, literal and non-literal copying claims, open source and anti-circumvention issues, secondary liability, and fair use, as well as the experience needed to protect our clients’ business interests when prosecuting or defending a copyright claim. Pike & Lustig, LLP has a successful track record in defending and obtaining temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions in copyright cases.
Skilled and Knowledgeable Intellectual Property Lawyers for West Palm Beach Copyright Matters
In order to better serve his clients in copyright and related matters, firm partner Daniel Lustig obtained a post-graduate LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree in Intellectual Property Law, above and beyond the J.D. (Juris Doctor) law degree that all lawyers possess. With decades of combined legal experience, our West Palm Beach copyright litigation attorneys are able to offer sophisticated litigation services in a small-firm atmosphere, providing personalized service and attention at competitive rates.
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our clients’ interests come first, which includes detailing a goal-oriented litigation strategy that is within our clients’ litigation budget. If you have a copyright infringement or related litigation matter in South Florida’s state or federal courts, contact our office to speak with a skilled and knowledgeable copyright litigation attorney.
