FAQ/Fees

Our Dallas Copyright Attorneys advise clients on preparing and filing copyright applications with the U.S. Copyright Office. We perform due diligence to attribute notice to the proper author and obtain licenses when necessary. Our Dallas Copyright Attorneys are knowledgeable about employment issues as they relate to copyright. Additionally, our Dallas Copyright Attorneys consult clients
regarding Digital Rights Management and other ways to help clients protect their copyright from infringement.

Here are our top 5 Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What does copyright protect?
A. Copyright is a form of protection afforded to the creator/owner of an original work of authorship, such as the words, content, and design of your advertising, website, training materials, or software. Copyright protection arises as soon as a work is recorded in a fixed medium and does not require use of the © symbol. However, registering your copyright offers the maximum protection against infringement. Registering your copyright also allows one to seek statutory damages for each infringing act and attorney's fees.

Q. Why do I need to register my copyright?
A. Even though copyright protection attaches once the work is fixed in a tangible medium, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office allows you the ability to file suit against an infringer.

Q. What if more than one person creates the work?
A. Copyright registration provides for multiple authors. Our Dallas Copyright Attorneys assess each client's unique situation and counsels on the options available that will best suit that particular client's needs. For example, it may be recommended to have a written agreement assigning ownership to a commonly owned entity before a copyright is registered.

Q. What if an employee creates a work using his/her employer's resources?
A. The employer may or may not have any rights to the work depending on the circumstances. Every situation is different, but our Dallas Copyright Attorneys counsel clients on a variety of copyright usage matters for employers.

Q. What is the average cost for filing a Copyright Application?
A. In most cases, there is a $400 legal fee plus a $45 filing fee.