Looking for a Copyright Attorney for Your Business?
LegalShield Small Business Legal Plans offer small business owners access to business attorneys in their local areas for a fraction of the normal cost.
Copyright Basics
A copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects authors, artists and creators. Copyrights cover creative works such as songs, novels, movies, computer software, poetry and architecture.
- If you or your business is the author of an original work, securing a copyright gives you the exclusive rights to control and profit from that work
- For example, if you paint a picture or write a book, a copyright gives you the exclusive right to make copies and sell them
- If you’re trying to protect a name or tagline, you need a trademark, not a copyright. Learn more about trademark law here.
If you’re not sure which type of protection you need, visit our general intellectual property page.
What Does a Copyright Attorney Do?
In the United States, as soon as you create something original, it’s copyrighted automatically. However, there are several important reasons you should formally register with the United States Copyright Office.
How A Copyright Attorney Can Help
- They help with the registration process to make sure your copyright registration is correct and enforceable
- A copyright lawyer can help you enforce your copyright or defend you at trial should you be accused of violating someone else's copyright
The last thing you want is to do is file for a copyright when you should be filing for a trademark or a patent. Even if you’re sure you need a copyright, you don’t want to file it by yourself and think you're protected only to find out later that there was a problem with your registration and it’s invalid.
There’s an easy and affordable solution, a small business plan from LegalShield.
View plans and pricing
How Much Does a Copyright Lawyer Cost?
Most attorneys cost between $150 - $400 per hour. An experienced intellectual property attorney typically charges $250 - $500 to register a copyright.
It's important to work with a specialist that truly understands how to follow the trickly filing rules and ensure you get the protection you need.
If you have a small business plan from Legalshield, you can register your copyright yourself for only $35 - $55 (the cost of federal filing fees). But, you’ll complete the registration process with a copyright attorney by your side. They’ll answer questions, provide guidance and review your registration documents before you file them, all for a fraction of typical attorney fees.
How a LegalShield Small Business Plan Works for Copyright
All LegalShield plans are jam-packed with valuable benefits. When it comes to copyright law, the most common plan usage is in two areas.
Consultation and Advice
You can have a phone consultation with an intellectual property attorney in your local area. They will make sure that filing for a copyright is the right type of protection for your situation, answer your questions and provide advice about the registration process.
Document Review
Once you’ve completed your copyright registration documents, you can submit them to your attorney for review. They will provide feedback regarding anything you may need to change before you file the documents.
You get the best of both worlds. You’ll have the help of an attorney to make sure your registration is correct AND save a ton of money
How Do Legal Plans Work?
LegalShield small business plans are perfect for supporting your copyright registration, and they also offer other valuable legal services businesses need.
Speak with your provider attorney on an unlimited number of business legal issues. One hour of legal research on each matter is included at no additional charge.
Your provider attorney can make phone calls or write letters on your behalf. Depending on the type of plan, a designated number of debt collection letters are included each month at no additional charge.
Have your provider attorney review documents and contracts up to 15 pages each. Preparation of documents is provided under the preferred member discount.
Your provider attorney can defend your business in covered civil lawsuits. Depending on the type of plan, a designated number of pre-trial hours and trial hours are included at no additional charge.