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Works Protected by Copyright

A copyright gives someone legal rights to the work that he or she created. The work is considered intellectual property but it has to be in a tangible form. It cannot just be an idea. It must be written or otherwise recorded in order to secure a copyright. It also has to be an original work. Below, our copyright lawyer in Raleigh NC talks more about the matter. 

Protected Copyright Works | Copyright Lawyer Raleigh NC

Sometimes the works that can be protected by a copyright are hard to determine, especially if the work uses common phrases or facts, or if it is similar to another work. As long as the work is not directly copied from someone else, it can be protected with a copyright.
Almost any form of expression could qualify as a tangible medium that would be eligible for copyright protection. The U.S. Copyright Office lists the following as works that can be protected:

  • Literary works
  • Musical works, including any accompanying words
  • Dramatic works, including any accompanying music
  • Pantomimes and choreographic works
  • Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
  • Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
  • Sound recordings
  • Architectural works

The categories are broad and can include novels, plays, poetry, songs, artwork, sculptures, computer software or applications and drafts of buildings. Some works may fall under more than one category, such as a drawing of a building. A musical play that includes dance could fall under both the musical and choreographic categories.
Copyrighted works are protected so that others cannot use them in their own work, reproduce them, share them, or make alterations to them. For example, when an author copyrights his novel, poem, or other written work, he has the right protect that work and prevent others from using it or making changes to it. If that protection is violated, the infringer may be facing legal action and fines.
For more information about works protected in copyright, be sure to visit back with our blog soon. Our copyright lawyer in Raleigh NC will offer more, in hopes to help you better understand this legal matter.
Eldreth Law Firm | Copyright Lawyer Raleigh NC
Sometimes, infringement may be committed unwillingly as writers don't mean to violate the copyright on a novel that they read years ago. To ensure that you do not accidentally infringe, it may be best to allow your entertainment lawyer to read over your written work before you publish it. Eldreth Law Firm, PLLC, will be glad to read your work and help ensure you are not violating any intellectual property laws.
It's easy to make mistakes. Don't allow those mistakes to create problems for you in the future. Contact us for more information about our infringement services provided by our copyright lawyer in Raleigh NC, and other services that may be of use to you or someone you know.
 

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