Most people who write a book that requires illustrations (such as children’s or botanical books) aren’t artists. When self-publishing their book, these authors will need to hire someone themselves to create the necessary artwork. They may hire the … [Read more...]
About Kelley Way
Seven Things to Know About the Copyright Small Claims Court
The Copyright Small Claims Court is Now Open! It’s been a long time coming, but the Copyright Claims Board is finally up and running, and copyright owners with small claims can now file them for consideration. For those who missed my previous … [Read more...]
What Rights Do Foreign Works Have? Using Foreign Works in Your Book
I’ve had several people ask me about works that were copyrighted and/or published in other countries, and whether these foreign works have rights in the U.S. If they do have rights, are those rights different from those of U.S. works? The answer … [Read more...]
When Should I Copyright My Work?
I am often asked, when should I copyright my work? Whether you have authored a book or created a piece of art, the good news is that you automatically have copyright. Specifically, as soon as the work is “fixed” (i.e. written down, recorded or in … [Read more...]
Three Reasons to Register Your Copyright
Note: Kelley Way and Dan Miller will offer a refresher on copyright law, when a use of copyrighted content may qualify as fair use, and how to get permission if fair use does not apply, on May 7. Believe it or not, you do not need to register your … [Read more...]
Can I Use a Trademark in My Book?
The question: Can I use a trademark in my book, has come up several times recently in conversations with clients, so here are some guidelines for using someone else’s trademark. As a general rule, it’s fine to use someone else’s trademark in your … [Read more...]
What’s the Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks, and Patents?
When people contact me for help with copyrights or trademarks, they are often confused or mistaken about which area of law their issue falls under. For example, someone will ask me about copyrighting their company name or book title (that’s trademark … [Read more...]
The Copyright Claims Board is Coming Soon!
Did you know there is a new venue for copyright small claims coming soon? When I first put this article on my blog schedule, the Copyright Claims Board was supposed to be up and running on January 1, 2022. Unfortunately, the Copyright Office has … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents
When it comes to intellectual property law, the most frequently asked question is what’s the difference between copyrights, trademarks, and patents? So let me explain what each of these concepts means and what each protects. To start with the … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents
When it comes to intellectual property law, the most frequently asked question is what’s the difference between copyrights, trademarks, and patents? So let me explain what each of these concepts means and what each protects. To start with the … [Read more...]