Copyright Law

Copyright Definition

Copyright confers exclusive rights in relation to the use of a copyright work (for example reproduction, performance, distribution and lending rights). The purpose of copyright is to provide such protection to the expression of original thought. Such protection arises automatically; there is no need for registration. A system of international conventions means that most copyright works are protected across the world.

Years of experience of IP strategy will ensure you have complete protection and ownership with copyright the key to your intellectual property.

Palmer Biggs IP, Solicitors offers specialist advice and services to clients in relation to a range of copyright related issues, including the commercial exploitation and licensing of copyright, copyright enforcement and infringement issues, including on line infringement and the liability of intermediaries such as ISPs.

We also offer advice on protection of databases and moral rights (e.g. the right to object to derogatory treatment of works and the right to be identified as the author of a work).

Protected works include literary, dramatic, artistic and musical works, software, photographs, fonts, compilations, broadcasts, films and sound recordings. For such works to enjoy copyright protection they must be original. Copyright protects the expression (or form) of an idea rather than the idea itself. There are very limited fair use defences in the UK and these do not usually apply in commercial contexts.