Home • Firm Profile • Contact • Confidentiality • Site Map • FAQS

 

The Law Office of Joan I. Norek

        Intellectual Property

            Chicago, Illinois

                                                             w w w . n o r e k l a w . c o m  
 

 

 


Copyrights

Copyrights Directory
About Copyrights
Who Protects Copyrights
Copyright Myths
Copyright Internet Issues
About Registrations
Copyright Consultations
Searches & Registrations
Hyperlinking
Musical Groups
No Idea Protection
No Use Control
Self-Publishing
Slogans
Idea Theft
Work For Hire

 

 

Copyrights

Copyrights Directory
About Copyrights
Who Protects Copyrights
Copyright Myths
Copyright Internet Issues
About Registrations
Copyright Consultations
Searches & Registrations
Hyperlinking
Musical Groups
No Idea Protection
No Use Control
Self-Publishing
Slogans
Idea Theft
Work For Hire

   

 

 


About Copyright Registrations


Copyright registration is not a condition for copyright protection.  Registration is a legal formality intended to provide a public record of the copyright's basic facts, and although optional, there are at times critical advantages secured when you register your copyright, including:

1.    Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.  And that public record can be certified by the Copyright Office both as to content and date, when that is needed to establish and/or protect your copyright.  Having made that public record before any disputes arise can be invaluable.

2.    Registration is required before an infringement action may be filed in court.  If and when a need to file, or to threaten, a lawsuit arises, you are capable of doing so, and doing so immediately if you choose.  If, on the other hand, your copyright is not yet registered, you must first seek registration and wait months -- whatever time required -- for the registration to issue -- and that delay can be disastrous (see #4 below).

3.    Registration prior to an infringement, or within three months of publication (even if not prior the infringement) allows you to seek statutory damages and attorney fees, instead of just actual damages or profits (both of which are often difficult or impossible to prove, or down right nonexistent).  Without this edge many people and businesses will not be able to afford the cost of an infringement lawsuit.  And it will be too late to rectify a "pound-foolish" mistake when someone infringes your copyright. 

4.    Registration allows that registration to be recorded with U.S. Customs whereby infringing imports can be blocked before the imports uncontrollably pour out to the north, to the south, to the east and to the west. 

The registration application process is not as easy as it looks.  The preparation of an accurate application form can be tricky -- so few lines but so many terms that must be truly understood.  A "bounced" or "fatally flawed" application can cost the copyright claimant not merely time but critical rights.  (And I have seen more than a few of such situations.)  An experienced IP attorney can save you more than frustration and time you would otherwise spend on the application.

For continuing multiple registrations, your time and money might be better spent having an experienced IP attorney review the circumstances and from that review prepare a template for a do-it-yourself registration program.  Warning -- no extrapolation should be permitted, because you may well be extrapolating into fatal error.

 

questions, inquiries - contact the firm (all contact modes) or call 312.419.8055
 

 

 

 
       


The Law Office of Joan I. Norek
25 E. Washington Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois  60602
Tel.  312.419.8055   Fax 312.236.6686
Contact the Firm

 

Patents • Chemical Patents • Copyrights • Trademarks • PatentAttitude • Searches, Applications

Home • Firm Profile • Contact • Confidentiality • Site Map • FAQS
 


Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Joan I. Norek, The Law Office of Joan I. Norek 
All rights reserved.
noreklaw, noreklaw.com and PatentAttitude are trademarks and service marks of Joan I. Norek, Chicago, Illinois.

Use of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship.  This website provides information and resources but is neither legal advice nor a substitute for the legal advice of an IP attorney.  Retentions are subject to the discretion of the firm.
This website was designed and constructed by Joan I. orek.