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LAW OFFICE OF
JAMES J. LOPES
36 Seventh Street, Suite 2
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel. (508) 993-1819
Fax: (508) 994-2995
Email: JLopesLaw@AOL.com
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This information
is useful to all musicians and fans of RIMC.
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COPYRIGHT
What does copyright protect?
Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of
authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such
as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation,
although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular
1, Copyright Basics, section "What Works Are Protected."
Can I copyright my website?
The original authorship appearing on a website may be protected by
copyright. This includes writings, artwork, photographs, and other forms
of authorship protected by copyright. Procedures for registering the
contents of a website may be found in Circular 66, Copyright Registration
for Online Works.
Can I copyright my domain name?
Copyright law does not protect domain names. The Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a nonprofit organization that has
assumed the responsibility for domain name system management, administers
the assignation of domain names through accredited registers.
Can I copyright the name of my band?
No. Names are not protected by copyright law. Some names may be protected
under trademark law. Contact the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office,
800-786-9199, for further information.
How do I copyright a name, title, slogan
or logo?
Copyright does not protect names, titles, slogans, or short phrases. In
some cases, these things may be protected as trademarks. Contact the U.S.
Patent & Trademark Office, 800-786-9199, for further information. However,
copyright protection may be available for logo artwork that contains
sufficient authorship. In some circumstances, an artistic logo may also be
protected as a trademark.
How do I protect my idea?
Copyright does not protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing
something. You may express your ideas in writing or drawings and claim
copyright in your description, but be aware that copyright will not
protect the idea itself as revealed in your written or artistic work.
Does my work have to be published to be
protected?
Publication is not necessary for copyright protection.
Can I register a diary I found in my
grandmother's attic?
You can register copyright in the diary only if you own the rights to the
work, for example, by will or by inheritance. Copyright is the right of
the author of the work or the author's heirs or assignees, not of the one
who only owns or possesses the physical work itself. See Circular 1,
Copyright Basics, section “Who Can Claim Copyright.”
Can I get a star named after me and claim
copyright to it?
No. There is a lot misunderstanding about this. Names are not protected by
copyright. Publishers of publications such as a star registry may register
a claim to copyright in the text of the volume [or book] containing the
names the registry has assigned to stars, and perhaps the compilation of
data; but such a registration would not extend protection to any of the
individual star names appearing therein. For further information on
copyright protection and names. See, Circular 34, Copyright Protection Not
Available for Names, Titles, or Short Phrases
See more at:
http://www.copyright.gov
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The Law Office of James J.
Lopes, is a law firm specializing in the practice of entertainment and
media law. Our expertise encompasses all aspects of the media and
entertainment industries, including television production and
distribution; recorded music and video production and distribution; new
media; product design, merchandising and licensing; live events, and
publishing. Our clients have included major television, film and
publishing companies, as well as talent in various capacities in the world
of entertainment, communications and media.
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