As a copyright lawyer, we do not perceive intellectual property rights in isolation from other aspects of your business. For most businesses today, intellectual property rights are major assets that need to be taken into account when making any significant business decision.
Based on this philosophy, our approach with intellectual property issues is, first and foremost, to advise our clients as to the best overall strategy to maximize or protect their intellectual property rights.
Copyright applies to all original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. These include books, other writings, music, sculptures, paintings, photographs, films, plays, television and radio programs, computer programs and communication signals.
As a copyright holder, you have the sole right to reproduce your work or perform it (if it is a script, song, film etc.). If the work is not yet published, you alone have the right to publish it.
In Canada, you are not legally required to register a copyright. You acquire copyright protection automatically when you create an original work or other subject–matter. However there are significant advantages to registering your copyright, our lawyers can assist you in with the registration process in both Canada and the U.S.
We can also provide assistance pertaining to litigate copyright disputes.
When you register a copyright for your work, you receive a certificate of registration. According to the Canadian Copyright Act, this certificate is of benefit to copyright holders in two significant ways:
Registration also strengthens your case in any legal proceedings involving your copyright. The registration proves that the alleged violator of your copyright should have known about the copyright.
Registration may also entitle you to remedies beyond merely barring the violator from copying your work including, in some circumstances, financial compensation.
Copyright is but one aspect of intellectual property. At Heydary Hamilton PC, we have expertise and experience in all facets of intellectual property law. Along with copyright, these areas include:
Your unique ideas are of great value to your business and to you as an individual. To learn more about protecting these assets, schedule a consultation with a Heydary Hamilton copyright PC lawyer.
