Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Texas

Copyright

I am creating a new online service with customized forms. Do I need to file something to copyright the actual work or is it inferred that it is protected? Do I file at a state level or federal if so?


Asked on 8/16/07, 12:15 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Nancy Delain Delain Law Office, PLLC

Re: Copyright

Copyright is exclusively federal.

Commonlaw copyright can protect your forms if they show enough authorship to warrant copyright protection. However, commonlaw copyright does not provide the copyright holder with any real remedy in the event of infringement. It's cheap ($45+attorneys' fees) and easy to register a copyright; you should register.

THE INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND IS NOT INTENDED, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED, AS LEGAL ADVICE. THIS POSTING DOES NOT CREATE ANY ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN US. FOR SPECIFIC ADVICE ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR SITUATION, CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY.

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Answered on 8/22/07, 3:22 pm
Johm Smith tom's

Re: Copyright

The copyrights arise when the forms are created but filing for federal protection allows you to enforce your rights.

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Answered on 8/16/07, 10:57 pm


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