Copyright Law in Nampa, ID

Intellectual property represents both the time, work, and creativity of Nampa entrepreneurs and designers. As such, it is only appropriate that you take every measure to safeguard your property from bad actors.

Perhaps the best step you can take is filing for a trademark to protect your intellectual property. An experienced copyright attorney in Nampa may be able to help you with this.

What Is Copyright Registration?

Copyright registration offers the author of a piece of work in Nampa, Idaho some protection from those who try 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. A piece of work doesn’t require copyright registration for protection under the US copyright law. However, you should register your product in Nampa, ID with the help of a copyright lawyer, as this can offer you several unique advantages:

• Protects 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 becomes 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 established Nampa, ID business people and brand owners often trademark:

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

All Nampa residents should remember that there are fees that accompany the filing of a trademark application. The Idaho Secretary of State lists the different types and amounts of fees required. Costs and times vary if you are filing for your initial trademark, or renewing the registration of an existing trademark. In addition, you can file your application either online, or by submitting a paper application.

When you file, you will have to submit several examples of your trademark in use with the goods or services that you provide. You’ll also need to do a tremendous amount of research before filing your application. If you attempt to file an application for a trademark that is too similar to an existing mark, it is an automatic denial. You may also find yourself facing legal action if you are using a mark that is similar to someone else’s. The State Government of Idaho provides a search engine that allows you to search active trademarks.

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

The Idaho SBDC communicates to all residents of Nampa filing a trademark application that there are different wait times for your trademark depending on where you file and how you plan to use it. A mark that is only going to be used in Idaho will have a smaller wait time, generally around 4 to 6 months. However, a national trademark can take as many as 18 months for approval, according to the USPTO.

Protecting your work is crucial for your business. It gives you the legal avenues to enforce your rights if anyone infringes on your intellectual property. However, this area of the law is nuanced, and any problems with your trademark application can delay the process. To avoid this, you may want to seek the experience of a Nampa copyright attorney.

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

The value of your Nampa, ID 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. Due to this, if people use those assets without your permission, you can file a lawsuit for infringement.

While trademarks and copyrights protect intellectual property, they cover two different aspects. Copyright registration protects artistic and literary works, such as videos and books. A trademark registration protects brand components. This can 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 the magazines that you have published.

Work With an Experienced Nampa, Idaho 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.

An experienced Nampa, ID copyright lawyer 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 determine the value of the intellectual property that you own.

An intellectual property lawyer also assesses the quality of the assets. They will also look at the number of assets licensed under your name or your business in Nampa, ID. 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 Nampa copyright attorneys  that can guide you through every step? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Idaho 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!