Securing your Copyrights is of paramount importance to safeguarding the products of your creative imagination. Wayne J. Colton, Inc. is ready now to ensure that copyright owners are able to effectively protect their interests.
Applications for Copyright Registration
Although copyrights are automatically created when a work is fixed in a tangible form, timely registration is critical to having effective rights to enforce the copyrights against infringers. Our copyright application services include:
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Pre-Filing Evaluations
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Determine Authorship
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Determine and Perfect Ownership
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Assignments
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Documentation of works for hire
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Probate documents
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Other documentation
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Determine Publication Status
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Identify Deposit Copies
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Applications for Registration
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Standard Applications
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For published, unpublished, derivative and other works
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Group Registrations
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For certain sets of unpublished works
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Single Work Applications
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Supplementary Registrations
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To correct errors or amplify information in a registration
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Preregistrations
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For specified classes of works
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Allows litigation to commence while work is still being prepared for commercial distribution
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Special Accelerated Handling
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On payment of substantial fees
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For limited circumstances
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Pending or Prospective Litigation
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Customs Matters
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Contract or Publishing Deadlines
Contact Us now to discuss copyright applications with an experienced copyright attorney.
Copyright Transfers, Licenses and Gifts
The copyrights in a work belong initially to the author or authors of the work, but ownership may be transferred in whole or part by any means of conveyance reduced to a suitable written instrument.
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Suitable Written Instruments of Conveyances (Required)
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Purchase and Sale Agreements
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License Agreements
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Memoranda of Gifts
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Publishing Agreements
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Including reversionary interests
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Confirmatory Assignments
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For recording purposes
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Provide written agreement for gifts
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Other Written Instruments
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Exception: Nonexclusive Licenses
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Should nonetheless have written agreement
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Ownership Agreements
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Setting forth obligations to assign rights
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Employment Agreements
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Company Policies
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Independent Contractor Agreements
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Contracts for Services, e.g. for logo designer
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Effective beyond of work made for hire provisions
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Works Made for Hire (Outside of Employment)
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Written Agreement of Parties (Required)
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For limited specified works only
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Written agreement is required
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No transfer takes place as recipient deemed to be author
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Recording Transfers and Other Pertinent Documents
Contact Us now to discuss copyright ownership issues with an experienced copyright attorney.
Copyright Terminations
Any transfer or license of copyrights may be terminated at will by the author or the author’s heirs if particular actions are taken within a specific window of time. Our services include:
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Notices of Termination
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Preparation
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Timely service on grantee or successor
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Timely recordation in Copyright Office
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Strategies to Avoid Termination
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Effective use of work-for-hire provisions
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Work with client’s probate attorney
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Prevent termination by author’s heirs
Contact Us now to discuss the exercise or avoidance of copyright termination provisions with an experienced copyright attorney.
Copyright Disputes
Licensed to practice before the US District Courts for the Western, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas and the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
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Copyright Litigation (Federal Courts)
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Representing the Copyright Owner (Plaintiff)
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Representing the Party Accused of Infringement (Defendant)
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Appellate Practice Before Federal Appeals Courts
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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Registrations
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Provide early warning of infringing activity
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Prevent infringing materials from entering the US
Contact Us now to discuss copyright enforcement with an experienced copyright attorney.
Other Copyright Matters
If you have a different copyright issue Contact Us now to discuss it with an experienced copyright attorney. It is very likely that we can help you.