As an Entertainment Professional, it is important to understand Trademark, Copyright, and Copyright Infringement. For example, say you have written a screenplay. Get your work copyrighted before distributing it to others. Or, if your character has a catchphrase, get it trademarked. However, protecting what you’ve created WILL NOT prevent people from trying to steal your ideas. But will legally protect you and give you every right to seek legal action.
What is a Copyright?
According to the teaching copyright website, copyright is defined as “a form of legal protection automatically provided to the authors of original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works.”
Literary Works
Dramatic works and music
Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
Unfortunately, an Idea CANNOT be copyrighted!
Have you noticed when you’re either watching tv or listening to the radio that you’ll hear someone using the words “The big game” to refer to the “Super Bowl?” Well, here’s why! According to the DSM Group, “the NFL trademarked the terms ‘Super Bowl’ and ‘Super Bowl Sunday.’ “ It also states that “The NFL has trademarked catchphrases and team names associated with the NFL teams.”
What is a Trademark?
The Trademark and Patent Office (USPTO) defines trademark as “ a word, phrase or symbol and/or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party to those of others.”
3 Trademark Infringement Cases
What is Copyright Infringement?
The U.S. Copyright Office defines copyright infringement as, “as a general matter, copyright infringement occurs when a copyright is reproduced distributed, performed, publicly displayed or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.”
3 Copyright Infringement Cases
Do you know of any copyright or trademark infringement cases, that we may not have mentioned? Please share them in the comments section.