Legal Entertainment Resources:Copyright: Publications

Articles & Online Information:

• FindLaw Library Thousands of legal documents online with information on hundreds of subjects.

• Advantages of Copyright Registration by Lloyd L. Rich (article). Discussion of the numerous advantages to registering copyrights and why it's better to register early.
• Amistad Copyright Suit Sinks in Court by Steven Fishman. Nolo Press article on copyright suit over the Speilberg film alleged to be an infringement of a prior novel. [Film][Case]
• A Blow to Writer's Rights Nolo Press article concerning electronic publication of freelance writers' works and the effect of Tasini v. New York. [Case]
• Conflicted Copy Rights: Realistic Approaches to Enigmatic Copyright Issues by Stephanie Ardito & Paula Eiblum. Suggestions and information for dealing with difficult or unclear copyright issues such as fair use.
• Contributory Infringement By Stephen E. Gillen. Printed in Publishing Law Bulletin, December 1994. Discussion of when a party is liable for the copyright infringement of another party.
• Copyright Basics from the Copyright Office. Overview of what is protected and what rights are held.
• Copyright of Choreographic Works by Julie Van Camp,1994-95 Entertainment, Publishing and the Arts Handbook. What is entailed in copyright of choreography and how to register.
• Copyright FAQ by Terry Carroll. An extensive overview of the ins and outs of copyright law up to 1994.
• Copyright Ownership: The Joint Authorship Doctrine by Lloyd L. Rich (article). Who really owns the rights and what duties are owed to others when there is more than one author of a work.
• Copyright Ownership: The Work Made For Hire Doctrine by Lloyd L. Rich [Part I][Part II] An explaination of when a work is made for hire and the attendant issues.
• Free Speech on the Internet: CDA Case Closed by Patricia Gima. Nolo Press article on Supreme Court ruling concerning the Communications Decency Act.
• The Fine Art of Film: Using Visual Art in Audiovisual Media by Gregory Victoroff, Esq. Discussion of licensing and copyright issues in using visual art in film sets.
• Helpful Articles for Writers and Publishers by Ivan Hoffman. Articles and links with copyright information and the effects of various court cases on rights.
• Internet Copyright: New Challenges, New Business by Michael Fraser of Copyright Agency Ltd. How copyright applies to works on the internet, from the perspective of Australian law.
• Intellectual Property and the National Information Infrastructure The Clinton Administration "White Paper" on intellectual property law.
• Intellectual Property on the Net by Esther Dyson. The basics of what happens to rights when works are posted on the internet in electronic format.
• International Protections US Copyright Office statement on gaining protection for copyright outside the US.
• Licencing Pre-Recorded Music by Dinah Perez. Discussion of licensing requirements for use of pre-recorded music.
• Now You See It ... Now You Don't: Object Lessons in Protecting Your Copyright by: Stephen E. Gillen. Printed in Publishing Law Bulletin, July/August 1995. Careful preparation of copyright registration forms may be necessary to protect rights in court.
• Obtaining Permission to Use Copyright Materials Chapter excerpt from Nolo Press' Patent, Copyright, & Trademark.
• Permissions Guidelines for Authors & Editors By Stephen E. Gillen. When permission is necessary and how to get it for use of copyright works.
• Protecting Your Ideas, Treatments, and Screenplays by Dinah Perez. Information intended to help educate producers and writers about the protection of ideas.
• The Public Domain and the Impact of New Legislation by Lloyd L. Rich. How the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act affects what works are considered public domain.
• Ten Big Myths About Copyright Explained by Brad Templeton. Clear discussion of major myths in copyright and the truth behind them.
• Ten Common Copyright Permission Myths by Attorney Lloyd J. Jassin Coauthor of The Copyright Permission and Libel Handbook.
• Who Owns the Copyright?: Demystifying Ownership in Employment Situations by Ronald D. Jackson, Esq. When work done in an employment setting is owned by the employer and when it belongs to the creator.

• Copyright Law Changes That May Affect You by Rich Stim. How recent copyright legislation affects the rights of current holders and users.
• Copyright Basics by Nolo Press. Basic overview of what a copyright is, what is protected, and how to enforce the rights granted.
• Copyright Ownership: Who Owns What? by Nolo Press. Lays out when a copyright does or doesn't belong to the creator of the work.
• What Part of a Creative Work Does Copyright Protect? by Nolo Press. The exact scope of what is protected by copyright.
• Copyright Protection: What It Is, How It Works by Nolo Press. How a work is protected.
• Copyrights in Cyberspace by Nolo Press. How to avoid breaking copyright law and still use materials posted on the Internet.
• When Copying Is Ok--The 'Fair Use' Rule by Nolo Press. Explanation of when a work can be copied under the "fair use" doctrine.
• Grading Teachers on Copyright Law--Videotaping for the Classroom by Nolo Press. How copyright affects educational use of materials.
• Copyright Registration: The Basics Chapter 4 of Copyright Your Software by Nolo Press. Explaination of how and why to register copyright.
• Copyright Registration and Enforcement by Nolo Press. How copyright is enforced after registration and the differences in enforcement for registered and unregistered copyright.
• Copyrighting Your Software - Why Bother? by Nolo Press. Reasons to copyright software.

Books & Other Print Resources:

• The Copyright Permission and Libel Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide for Writers, Editors, & Publishers by Lloyd J. Jassin and Steven C. Schechter
• Patent, Copyright, & Trademark by Steven Elias, Esq. Published by Nolo Press. Extensive overview for non-attorneys of what patents, copyrights, and trademarks are, what they protect, and how to register and enforce them.