Internet law in America can seem like the Wild West. A vast metaphorical landscape where laws are either flimsy or rarely enforced. In the United States at least, the enforcement of copyright law has always been flimsy. Individuals are rarely taken to court or fined over their decision to illegally stream movies, download music, or utilize other people’s material on their … [Read more...] about Business Websites and Copyright
Intellectual Property
Who Owns the Copyright of Work Created by a Contractor?
It's really basic: ownership of the copyright in work a business pays for can often be critical for successful commercialization of that work. Unfortunately, the U.S. Copyright contains arcane provisions that will often produce a counterintuitive result - leaving full copyright ownership with the contractor. How could this possibly be?? Internet attorneys, advisers and … [Read more...] about Who Owns the Copyright of Work Created by a Contractor?
Understanding “Owned and Controlled” Licenses
In the coming years, as we turn on our televisions, it will become increasingly more difficult to tell whether we are actually seeing television or instead are watching the Internet or, more likely, a combination of both. As broad band, digital television combines with DSL and cable modem technology, multicasting of all sorts will be a reality. This convergence of technologies … [Read more...] about Understanding “Owned and Controlled” Licenses
How Intellectual Property Affects Your Business
You may not realize it, but you deal with intellectual property (IP) every day. If you own a website, that website is your intellectual property. The way you deal with IP yours and others can directly impact the success of your business. What is Intellectual Property? Registered patent attorney Patricia McQueeney (http://www.brinkleymcnerney.com) explains, "[Intellectual … [Read more...] about How Intellectual Property Affects Your Business
Protect Your Business with Trademarks and Copyrights
So you've put all this work into your business: you've got a name, you've made some marketing materials, even written some things for your customers. If you don't want your competitors to be able to take what you've done and exploit it, though, you're going to need to take some steps to protect yourself. What's in a Name? Your name is one of the most important assets your … [Read more...] about Protect Your Business with Trademarks and Copyrights