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Do Laws of Copyright Apply to the Internet?

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The short answer: yes. When in doubt, consider the matter to be under copyright and if you desire to use the work or portions of it, contact the copyright holder and request written permission. People often assume that internet material is free for the taking since getting to the material was free, i.e. you didn’t […]

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U.S. Federal Copyright on Material in a Digital Apps

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Before releasing your content into the world via a digital app you should consider first protecting the copyright of your work. While as a matter of law copyright attaches to all new creations (that are eligible for copyright) upon creation, having your work registered as such will provide the best evidence should someone later infringe […]

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Maryland Intellectual Property Attorney: “Fair Use” and Quoting Previously Published Poetry

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Permission is usually required if you use more than two lines of a poem. If the whole poem is only a few lines long, you may need permission to quote any of it. A fee may be required and you should inquire with the publisher and/or the poet. For a free, confidential conversation to discuss […]

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Baltimore Maryland Copyright Lawyer: Quoting a Published Book and “Fair Use” of Copyright Material

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Publishers require that you obtain permission if you are quoting text in excess of a maximum word count, this is typically anywhere between 100 and 1000 words depending on the publisher. You should contact the publisher for guidelines before using the quote. For a free, confidential conversation to discuss these and other copyright law matters, […]

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Publishing False Information About Public People

“In the name of free speech, our First Amendment today fosters false and defamatory speech.” This is an interesting article for writers and publishers who write/publish work on public figures: Getting Away With Literary Fraud. To discuss the legal topics in this article, or other publishing related legal concerns such as copryrights, permissions, serial rights […]

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Baltimore Copyright Law Attorney: Along With Copyright, Creators Have Numerous Other Rights To Their Work

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The Copyright Act of 1976 grants exclusive rights to copyright owners, including: Reproduction: the right to make copies of a copyrighted work. Distribution: the right to sell or otherwise distribute copies of the work. Adaptation: the right to create adaptations of the original work. Performance: the right to perform, or have performed, the copyrighted work. […]

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Maryland Intellectual Property Law Attorney: Best Defenses to Defamation Lawsuit

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Defamation is making a false statement about a living person such that the statement causes the person ridicule or scorn. Simply put, the best defense is having evidence to support the statement as reported. In other words, “show” that the fact reported is in-fact true. The second best defense, though not always successful, is to […]

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Maryland Copyright Law Attorney: When Does Formerly Copyrighted Material Become Part of The Public Domain?

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When a previously copyrighted material becomes part of the public domain, that work can be used without permission form the previous copyright owner. The following is a guide to help determine if material has become part of the public domain. 1. BEFORE 1923: All material published in the United States before 1923 is in the […]

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Maryland Copyright Law Lawyer: Can A Copyright Owner Obtain an Injunction to Stop Publication?

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Yes. Under federal law, the owner of a copyright that has been violated may seek an injunction to prevent further exploitation of the work. Along with an injunction, monetary damages and attorney fees can be awarded. For a confidential conversation to discuss these and other copyright law matters, contact Maryland copyright attorney Stephen J. Reichert […]

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Maryland Copyright Law Lawyer: Getting Permission to Use Copyrighted Material

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There are basic steps you should follow when seeking permission of copyrighted work. First, determine who owns the copyright. Second, see if the material is protected or if you need permission to use the material. Third, determine exactly what rights you need to use the material. Forth, contact the copyright owner and seek permission. Fifth, […]

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