Michael Best’s copyright attorneys work with clients who own, manage, and use copyrightable content.
We represent clients including entertainment companies, software companies, authors, and artists, as well as others who wish to protect their original work from the unauthorized exploitation by others. We have broad experience with all aspects of copyright law. We assist clients with determining their rights and responsibilities with respect to using copyrighted works, including assessing “fair use.”
Our attorneys are knowledgeable about current technology and how it is used to share and distribute copyrighted material, as well as how it can be used to monitor and enforce our clients’ rights. We have experienced litigators who help our clients enforce their rights and defend them against allegations of infringement.
We work with clients to develop copyright registration and protection strategies and to educate client teams about copyright issues and risks that are relevant to their activities. We help our clients develop appropriate business-minded strategies to address copyright matters. Our extensive experience involving copyrights includes:
We provide counsel to our clients on the full range of copyright issues, including filing and prosecution of copyright applications; acquisition, disposition, and licensing of copyrighted works; copyright compliance, including with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act; and fair use issues.
We assist clients with negotiating agreements for the creation and ownership of copyrightable works, including development agreements, work-made-for-hire agreements, and assignments; agreements for copyrightable works; and performing due diligence in connection with corporate transactions.
We work with clients to audit their copyrightable works and internal practices to ensure that they own or have appropriate licenses to the copyrights in works created or used in their businesses.
Our lawyers enforce and defend copyright matters in order to protect our clients’ interests.
Attorneys in Michael Best’s Copyright group have been recognized as leading practitioners by organizations and publications including Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business; The Best Lawyers in America; and Managing Intellectual Property magazine. Members of our team are active in professional and industry associations, lead seminars and author articles on copyright topics, and teach at law schools.