Sunday, December 6, 2009

What is Copyright? How can we help


I wanted to take a moment to break down some of the basic concerns we often hear as it would pertain to United States Copyright Laws. Take a second to review some of what we have found to be the most frequently asked questions.

What is copyright?
Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

What does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. A Corporations Bureau associate can assist you further if needed.

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?No. The Corporations Bureau,LLC does not require registration with our organization to meet applicable filing criteria. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

I’ve heard about a “poor man’s copyright.” What is it?
The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a “poor man’s copyright.” There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

Is my copyright good in other countries?
The United States has copyright relations with most countries throughout the world, and as a result of these agreements, we honor each other's citizens' copyrights. However, the United States does not have such copyright relationships with every country. For a listing of countries and the nature of their copyright relations with the United States, speak to a Corpoations Bureau associate.

What is Trademarking & How can it work for you?


A trademark is the one of the most important business assets you'll ever own. It's your name, your logo, or any other symbol that distinguishes your company or products in the marketplace.

Registering your trademark prevents others from using your business identity to market their own products, which can confuse your customers and damage your brand. We have begun to add new products to our cadre to further assist our clients in building their corporate brand and recognition.

We pride ourselves on bringing clarity and transparency to the documentation process for our clients and business expediency. Trademark your business, logo, identity and products with The Corporations Bureau for only $89.00* (US Govt Filing Fee $325)

- Preliminary search of pending and registered trademarks
- Digitizing of your logo and specimen to meet U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) standards
- Electronic filing of your trademark application with the USPTO
- Infringement Monitoring (One year)
- Cease and desist letter forms.
- Form of Transfer Agreement

**Priority Processing:

- For an additional fee of $50.00, expedite your Trademark processing documents.

Contact us at 404-604-4040 for further assistance with your Trademarking needs.

($89.00 service fee is added to U.S. Govt Filing Fee at the time of filing)