What Steps Should I Take to Copyright Digital Content?

We live in the digital age, and as a result, more and more digital content is churned out on a daily basis. If you’ve created software, written online content, or are the brainchild of any other digital creation, you should understand that you have rights to that IP, but it isn’t always easy to protect those rights. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned New Orleans, Louisiana copyright lawyer from Lemler IP to learn more about the steps you can take to preserve your digital content and how a seasoned lawyer can help. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What digital content can I copyright?

You can copyright virtually any type of original digital data. This can include:

• Digital artwork or photographs
• Digital videos
• Digital music recordings
• Software programs
• Websites and website content

What can I do to protect my digital content?

The first thing you should know (and this is true for non-digital original work as well) is that any original creative work is technically copyrighted from the moment of its creation. This gives its creator the right to distribute, display, or reproduce the work. Unfortunately, as more and more content is created and shared online, it can be difficult to control who accesses your content and protect your rights to that intellectual property.

For this reason, you should speak with a lawyer who can help you take the necessary steps to get your property formally copyrighted. As long as you register your copyright within three months of a work’s publication or before an incident of infringement occurs, you can likely sue someone for both statutory and actual damages, should they steal your work and infringe upon your copyright.

Certain tools, such as Digital Rights Management, along with a competent attorney in your corner who can get your work copyrighted and manage your intellectual property portfolio, are the best ways to keep your digital creations safe from unauthorized access or distribution.

Do digital copyrights last as long as other copyrights?

Yes, in this regard, there is no difference between them. A copyright of any kind will last for the remainder of the copyright holder’s lifetime, and for 70 years after their death.

Ultimately, digitally copyrighted work is a field that is rapidly evolving as new technologies and ways of sharing, viewing, and transmitting digital content emerge. This is why you need to hire an attorney who is ahead of the curve. If you’re looking to protect your digital intellectual property, you are in the right place. Contact Lemler IP for help today.