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...]
About Kelley Way
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...]
How Long Does Copyright Last?
I recently did a Q&A session with the delightful Fremont Area Writers Club, which had many thoughtful and interesting literary law questions. But, unfortunately, there was one question that we ran out of time for: How long does copyright last? … [Read more...]
What is Copyright?
Unlike some estate planning terms, like per stirpes, most everyone has heard of copyright. However, there’s still some confusion regarding, what is copyright, and what does it protect? Let’s start with what copyright protects. Copyright is … [Read more...]
Trademark FAQ
Trademark FAQ Trademark is (for me) a fascinating area of law, and I always enjoy helping clients get their trademark registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Along the way, I’ve noticed a few questions that tend to get asked a lot, … [Read more...]