Have you ever wondered if you need a copyright for your logo, graphic designs, and other creative works of art? What is a copyright versus a trademark? If you can copyright and trademark your logo? The technical, legal definition for copyright is: a form of intellectual property protection for original works of authorship that is fixed in a tangible medium. Copyright is established once the work is fixed in a tangible medium. Essentially, "whoever creates it owns it." The most common copyrights not owned by entrepreneurs, creatives, and visionaries are the copyrights to: logos, pictures, and videos.
For example, you purchase the logo for your brand from a graphic design company or branding agency without signing a copyright assignment agreement in place. Then, you successfully file and register your federal trademark. Once your brand begins to make big money (and it will), then the graphic designer has every right to demand that you pay them money from all of the money you are making from the brand, because they still own the copyrights to the logo. Even worse, you can be forced to rebrand and start from scratch if you don't cough up the money.
If you do not sign a copyright assignment agreement at the time of purchase, then you do not own the copyrights to your logo. You only purchased a license to use the logo, pictures, and videos. A copyright assignment agreement is a written agreement, signed by the creator of the copyrighted work, with the clear intention to transfer ownership and the exclusive rights from the creator to you.
To learn more about the importance of a copyright assignment agreement and to watch a free virtual copyright assignment agreement consultation, click the button below!
*This video is for educational and informational purposes only. Watching this video does not create an attorney-client relationship with Belle Terre Law Firm nor Chareese "Queen" Haile, Esq. The choice of a lawyer should not solely be based upon a website or blog post*
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