Copyright Law in Indiana

According to Statista, the most profitable brand in Indiana is Anthem. The healthcare provider is worth $121.87 billion at the time of writing.

Building an enterprise to this level doesn’t happen without significant intellectual property protection. However, the process can feel confusing or obtuse to experienced applicants and total novices alike. Discover the information you need to make an informed decision about legal counsel with us today!

What Is Copyright Registration?

Copyright registration offers the author of a piece of work in Indiana some protection from those who attempt to steal their idea.

A novel creation receives copyright protection when it becomes fixed into a tangible form. Copyright law dictates how to establish this ownership. Additionally, it explains how to register intellectual property or defend against infringement.

Copyright registration is a type of public record for ownership. Technically, a piece of work doesn’t require copyright registration for protection under the US copyright law. However, you should register your product in Indiana with the help of a copyright lawyer. This can offer you several unique advantages. By doing this you can:

  • Protect your work against the importation of copies that infringe the registration. Your registration will be recorded with the United States Customs and Border Protection.
  • If your work is already registered in the United States, you can proceed with an infringement lawsuit; otherwise, you will have to register it first.
  • The IP owner can seek damages and attorney fees if a copyright registration happens within three months of publication (or prior to an infringement claim).
  • If a copyrighted work is registered outside of the three-month time frame, you may seek actual damages that you lost.
  • Copyright registration will identify each public record of its existence. This action puts the copyright protection into public notice for the piece of work that you’ve created and/or own.

What Is a Trademark?

A trademark is a word, symbol, design, or phrase that distinguishes you from another company. Service marks are a type of trademark that a company will use when providing services to the public.Technically, trademarks are a form of intellectual property. It also forms part of the company’s brand, even if they no longer use it.

Here are some of the components that business people and brand owners often trademark:

  • Logos
  • Symbols
  • Product packages
  • Name of the business
  • Name of the product or service
  • Designs

Entrepreneurs can file for a trademark through the Indiana Secretary of State. Currently, these applications happen by signing up for an Access Indiana account. Once approved, the state government provides legal protection for five years. Subsequent renewals need to occur up to six months before the expiration date.

How Long Does It Take to Register a Trademark and Copyright?

Registering a trademark is approximately a twelve to eighteen-month process for applicants. Generally, you can avoid processing delays by communicating regularly with the examining attorney. There are also situations where an accidental omission or mistake could extend this period. At the very least, a consultation with an attorney can help you understand the potential challenges.

The U.S. Copyright Office has its own factors that drive its processing times. The complexity of the topic and the number of registration specialists available. But, the average time an Indiana resident can expect to spend on this endeavor is around three months.

What’s the Difference Between a Trademark and a Copyright?

The value of your Indiana business depends on the assets it owns. It’s important to note that the most valuable assets are not always physical or financial. Your intellectual property counts as assets too. Because of this, if people use those assets without your permission, you can and should file a lawsuit against them for infringement under copyright law.

While trademarks and copyrights protect intellectual property, they cover two different aspects. Copyright registration protects artistic and literary works, such as videos and books. On the other hand, a trademark registration protects brand components. This could be a jingle, a logo, or a mascot of your organization.

Take, for example, if you own a magazine publishing company. You would trademark the logo and the name of your company. However, you would also place copyright protection on all of the magazines that you have published.

Work With an Experienced Indiana Copyright Lawyer

Do you have an idea that needs protection under intellectual property law? If so, complete the registration process as soon as possible. There is always the risk that someone else might beat you to it. This eventuality can create complications when the time comes to defend IP rights claims.

Indiana copyright lawyers can help you uncover if anyone else has registered a similar idea. If your concept closely resembles another, it might get rejected. Consequently, it is better to find this early than to go through the process only to get denied later. In addition, an intellectual property lawyer will help you to draft critical documents. Or, they can help determine the value of the intellectual property that you own.

An intellectual property lawyer also assesses the quality of the assets. They will look at the number of assets licensed under your name or your business in Indiana . This evaluation can help to maximize the entire value of all intangible assets that your company has.

Are you ready to tap into our network of Indiana copyright attorneys that can guide you through every step? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Indiana state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

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