Copyright
Copyright law arises in many fields from the spoken word through to images appearing on the Internet.
It can cover all forms of writing and drawn images and may even extend in some cases to the shapes of sculptures or even buildings. Its reach is far wider than many suppose and it is also more complicated than is commonly thought.
In the business context in particular it can arise in a variety of ways and in some instances the copyright in a company’s written know-how can be its most valuable asset. It is therefore important to know how best to protect the intellectual property rights that you have in that asset and to be able to preserve, license or sell those rights accordingly.
At times it is necessary to assert your rights in the copyrights that you hold and in that respect we can assist you in terms of preparing the appropriate wording for letters or (if the matter becomes litigious) claims that you may need to make.
Copyright extends to all areas of business and is not limited to creative writing in novels, plays poetry or other forms of literary works. It can also be found in manuals, handbooks, technical drawings and computer programs and often fills the gap in your protection between other intellectual property rights such as patents, designs or trade marks. In some cases it overlaps with certain of these.
It is therefore important not to neglect your copyrights and to be aware of those enjoyed by other persons and businesses.
Copyright department contacts:
Mark Lello, mark.lello@parkerbullen.com
Chris Gwinn, chris.gwinn@parkerbullen.com
Nigel Tranah, nigel.tranah@parkerbullen.com
Telephone: Salisbury 01722 412 000
Telephone: Andover 01264 400 500