Need some guidance on copyright / licensing

[annarchy]

Has anyone out there had any experience with obtaining a copyright / licensing on a product before?

[shawnc]

Not much help

I haven't but can tell you that it seems to matter less and less all the time in this age of the global economy. Assuming you can prove someone stole your idea, it will probably be years before the case gets to court. That's if it's someone in the U.S. The Chinese will just blatantly steal an idea and don't care a bit about any claims you might have to ownership.

If you have a good idea, your best bet is to develop it and make the money from it you can. Once the idea is out there, you can't expect to sit back and own it forever.

[drfrightner]

What are you trying to copyright. Please offer more details.

Larry

[Nightmaretony]

Got several copyrights and a trademark. Short guide time:


If you are trying to protect a work of art or music or a book, a copyright is in order. Cost is around 35 bucks.

If you are going for a company logo for your e4nterprise, then a trademark or service mark is in order. Expect to spend around 300 dollars, and maybe a year getting it. harder but worth it.

If you have an invention, a mechanical idea of some kind, then that calls for a patent. No idea on costs there, sorry.

Hope that helps.

[Old Tree Studios]

Are you trying to obtain a copyright to use someone else's material, or are you securing a copyright on your own work?

[annarchy]

Copyright

No, this is for a new product we are trying to copyright. Any ideas?

[annarchy]

Are you trying to obtain a copyright to use someone else's material, or are you securing a copyright on your own work?

No, the material to be secured is my own.

[annarchy]

Copyright

Got several copyrights and a trademark. Short guide time:


If you are trying to protect a work of art or music or a book, a copyright is in order. Cost is around 35 bucks.

If you are going for a company logo for your e4nterprise, then a trademark or service mark is in order. Expect to spend around 300 dollars, and maybe a year getting it. harder but worth it.

If you have an invention, a mechanical idea of some kind, then that calls for a patent. No idea on costs there, sorry.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for the information, Would you happen to know the process for the copyright?

[annarchy]

What are you trying to copyright. Please offer more details.

Larry

The product that I am try to copyright would fall under a work of art.

[Nightmaretony]

http://www.copyright.gov/

Start here.

and follow from there.

[IF YOUR 555]

Legal zoom

I used Legal zoom, and would highly recomend it.They can do any of the above and its way cheaper than a law firm. Legalzoom.com

[The HorrorTeller]

There is also what is called a pre patent. Protects you the same way as a patent,
costs only about a little over a hundred...until you test the waters as to whether or not your product is indemand or a good idea. Most folks jump in and spend big dollars, go broke because they did not know about this.

[Nightmaretony]

Didn't know about that one. I will have to use that for some patent ideas I have (lost one years ago due to no protection, bleah).

Copyrighting is easy enough where you can do it yourself. Patenting, not so much.

Can you throw links on pre patenting? Thanks!

[The HorrorTeller]

Its actually called a provisual patent...located i believe at the same url you gave prior.
uspto.gov

[Nightmaretony]

Thanks mucho.