How Does Copyright Apply to Photography?
Legally reviewed by Thomas Lemler - founder of Lemler IP
As you may know, intellectual property law, commonly referred to simply as “IP law,” is a complex legal area that is often misunderstood by the general public. Unfortunately, there is a variety of misconceptions that people have about IP law, which is why this article seeks to address these misconceptions so people can have a better understanding of how IP law works, who it applies to, and how an IP attorney can help protect the work of all types of creators and innovators. Read on to learn more about some of the most common misconceptions about IP Law.
5 Common Misconceptions About IP Law
- Intellectual property law only applies to large corporations. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, IP law applies to anyone who wants to formally publish and document their ideas and creations. More specifically, musicians, small business owners, painters, photographers, and anyone else who creates original works have a stake in intellectual property law.
- Intellectual property law is only used to protect tangible goods. This is also untrue; intellectual property law is designed to protect any original creation, including digital content, software, data, and more.
- Intellectual property’s sole purpose is to protect original works from infringement or theft. This is also untrue. Of course, this is one of the main functions of intellectual property, however, having intellectual property formally registered can help creators license and sell their creations to others. In many ways, intellectual property not only helps creators protect their works but also helps them make a profit from it as well.
- IP law is only applicable in certain parts of the world. This isn’t entirely true in the sense that in many ways, IP law is a global matter, and often, creators will have to protect their works not only here in the United States, but in other countries as well. A seasoned attorney can help you understand what scenarios may call for separate foreign (as well as domestic) protections, such as international patents.
- It’s easy to protect intellectual property without an IP lawyer. While yes, there are certain steps you can take to protect your IP on your own, the truth is, it is always best to do so with a competent attorney in your corner. A lawyer can help ensure you file all relevant documentation properly and timely, which can ultimately save you a great deal of trouble (and money) in the long run. By hiring an attorney, you can have peace of mind knowing your valuable IP is protected under the law.
If you have any questions about IP law, or you’d like to speak with an Washington, D.C. intellectual property lawyer about having your work protected under the law, please don’t hesitate to contact Lemler IP today.
