Remien Law, Inc. | Copyright Clearances & Licensing
Copyright is the exclusive right of the author or creator of a literary or artistic work to print, copy, sell, license, distribute, transform to another medium, translate, record, perform, or otherwise use that work. The author may transfer these rights to others by granting them a license for any or all of these rights.
When obtaining a license or clearance to use all or part of a copyrighted work, it is important to identify the owner of each right, as well as the scope, duration, and any applicable restrictions on that right.
Different types of works, and the various rights that accompany them, may require different means to clear these rights for use by someone other than the author or creator. Determining the owner of these rights can be quite difficult, as many of these rights derive from private contracts or other agreements. Such agreements may be recorded with the United States Copyright Office.
Some rights such as criticism, parody, news reporting, and copying for personal use, do not require a license under the doctrine of fair use. It should be noted, however, that fair use is not a loophole granting the freedom to use a copyrighted work any way you wish, but is rather a defense to a claim of copyright infringement.
Before using even part of a copyrighted work it is important to make sure that the appropriate rights are secured. Copyright clearinghouses, such as the Copyright Clearance Center, may be able to provide a license for certain uses of a number of copyrighted works, but it is important to consult a copyright attorney to assist you in determining which works and rights require a license and to secure those rights from the appropriate parties.
Contact Remien Law, Inc.
If you're considering licensing your copyrighted work or entering into an license agreement to use another's copyrighted work, contact Remien Law, Inc., today at 312-462-0322, or contact us online. Chicago intellectual property attorney Natalie A. Remien assists businesses and entrepreneurs with trademark and copyright issues, as well as corporate formation and agreements. Our business hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and evenings and weekends by appointment. We represent clients throughout Chicago, Illinois