CALLING ALL SHUTTERBUGS! THE US COPYRIGHT OFFICE HAS CHANGED THE RULES!
As of February 20, 2018, the US Copyright Office will begin accepting group registrations of photographs (published or unpublished) through the US Copyright Office’s Electronic Filing System (eCo). The Group Registration of Photographs (Published or Unpublished)may include up to 750 photographs in each claim. The Final Rule published in the January 18, 2018 Federal Register (Vol. 83, No. 12) is in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued by the US Copyright Office...
Read MoreUPDATE – US Copyright Office Extends Time for Comments Regarding Unpublished Group Registrations
New Date Friday, November 17, 2017 – 11:59 PM EST US Copyright Office Extends Written Comment Period for Proposed Rules for Unpublished Collections The US Copyright Office extended the written comment period for its October 12, 2017 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (“NPRM”) regarding “Unpublished Collections.” The Copyright Office also clarified that the proposed rule does not impact photographers. The US Copyright Office announced the extension today in...
Read MoreYour Voice Matters! Its Time to Speak Up NOW!
The US Copyright Office wants to hear your comments regarding the registration of Unpublished Works with the US Copyright Office. Comments on the Proposed Rule will be accepted until November 13, 2017 at 11:59 PM EST. **Sorry in Advance for the Legalese!** Currently, A Claimant may register as many unpublished works together under a single claim/application and with one fee provided the requirements of 37 C.F.R 202.3(b)(4)(i)(B) are met: (B) In the case of unpublished works: all...
Read MorePOTTY MOUTH! The New Law of Trademarks!
Matal v. Tam As I kid I knew one of the quickest ways to get into trouble was to have “a potty mouth.” A Potty Mouth? What was that – swear words, words that referred to something out of the social norm, or body parts? My parents’ definition of “Potty Mouth” changed all the time. The punishment did not – soap, a swat, or a time out…. The General Rule for the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has been to deny a trademark registration...
Read MoreKNOW THE LEGAL CODE
Creative Businesses face many different challenges. Many times the owner of a small business is everything from CEO to CJC (Chief Janitor in Charge). A short time ago I was able to write an article for the Association for Creative Industries (formerly the Craft and Hobby Association) trying to help creative businesses unlock the code of many of the legal issues faced by small creative businesses today! The use of this article is solely for a one time individual use and cannot be copied or...
Read MoreDon’t Be Fooled In April!
April is always that time of year that starts out with pranks and hopefully ends with beautiful weather here in the US. April is also a perfect time between the excitement of the Holidays and the bustle of Summer to look at your business. When I first started practicing law and setting up businesses I would always include a calendar of events and meeting minutes but tried to come up with some unique way to get businesses to REMEMBER that each year maintenance (both physical and paper) needed...
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