What Qualifies for Copyright and How Can I Protect My Property?

For business starters, who may not be familiar with all the terms, it’s not uncommon to accidentally mistake a copyright for a trademark. Your own knowledge of what copyright is and what is possible is also quite limited.

However, it is a business term that is best understood by you in cases where you intend to author or create original works that are copyrighted — which many entrepreneurs do — and are credited as the source. fit.

If you’re ready to learn more about copyright, you’ve come to the right place for a quick primer on copyright. Take a moment to define the term, what it protects, how a copyright differs from a trademark, and the application process.

What is copyright?

Copyright is defined as a form of intellectual property protection for original work of copyright. According to the United States Copyright Office, these works are covered by creative offers that may include the following:

• Literary works (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, articles, periodicals)
• Performing Arts (music, lyrics, sound recordings, scripts, theater plays)
• Visual arts (artwork, illustration, jewelry, fabric, architecture)
• Motion pictures (movies, TV shows, video games, animations, videos)
• Photos (news, wedding and family photos and selfies)
• Digital content (computer programs, databases, blogs, websites)
• Architectural works (buildings, architectural plans, drawings)

These works may be published, but they may also receive protection if they are unpublished. Copyright law states that the original creative work, published or not, is still considered an author’s work – and if you are the author of this work, you are the author of that work.

However, keep in mind that not every form of creation is copyrighted. You cannot keep the copyright event, idea or system, For example.

What makes copyright different from trademark?

We have not discussed the brand name, tagline or logo. After all, these words can be creative phrases of their own. Why are they not eligible for copyright?

This is why the distinction between the two terms comes into play. Brands are words, phrases, symbols, and designs that identify your business. These include the aforementioned brand name, tagline, logo, and tagline. Even a trademark mascot can be trademarked!

Your brand not only shows the world how unique and different your business is, but it also helps set yourself apart from the competition. Copyright won’t protect any of these assets, so the best place to go if you want to learn more, conduct a name search, or register a trademark is US Patent and Trademark Office.

How to register copyright?

Technically, you already have the copyright. Let me explain how it works.

Copyright exists as soon as you create the work. If someone creates work that is extremely similar to yours and copies or distributes it publicly without your permission, they are infringing your copyright. However, if your copyright is not registered, you will not be able to take them to court for their actions.

With that said, you should copyright early and protect your work. You can file a copyright with the US Copyright Office, which requires you to submit an application and a non-returnable copy (or copies) of the work you wish to register. The application can be done online and by mail with Registration required for both options outlined on the website.

Be sure to register with the copyright office to see how long the registration will take, as the application will vary. While this process requires a bit of extra time and energy, it’s well worth making sure that your copyrighted creations remain your own.

This guest post was written by Deborah Sweeney of MyCorctures, for Fundbox.

Fundbox and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This document has been prepared for informational purposes only, is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon as tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult with tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.