Copyright Law in Topeka, KS

Topeka creatives and entrepreneurs dedicate a large portion of their time and livelihood in order to bring new designs and ideas to the marketplace. Because of this, you should take every precaution to be sure that bad faith actors do not infringe upon your intellectual property. To further this, you may want to seek the expertise of an experienced copyright attorney in Topeka.

What Is Copyright Registration?

Copyright registration offers the author of a piece of work in Topeka, Kansas 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 Topeka, KS 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 Topeka, KS business people and brand owners often trademark:

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

According to the Kansas Secretary of State, there are several broad requirements for designers and entrepreneurs residing in Topeka that are looking to apply for trademark protections. Before an application can be submitted, the trademark must be used on a good or service that you provide in Topeka. If you submit an application prior to use, the application will be automatically denied. You may want to consult the Trademark Registration Instructions provided, or seek the counsel of an experienced Topeka copyright attorney.

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

According to the USPTO , Topeka residents seeking trademark protection can face wait times as long as 12 to 18 months to receive full trademark and copyright protection. It’s important to remember that this is a process, and while it may seem drawn out, any missteps could set you back in regards to receiving your trademark protection.

Once your trademark or copyright is established, you can enforce your rights in the event that anyone misuses or misappropriates your trademarked work. If such an event occurs, you may want to have the sound counsel of an experienced Topeka copyright attorney at your disposal.

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

The value of your Topeka, KS 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 Topeka, Kansas 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 Topeka, KS 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 Topeka, KS. 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 Topeka copyright attorneys  that can guide you through every step? We can even help you connect with an attorney across Kansas 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!