Copyright Infringement and Protection

Your creative work is valuable. Whether you're a business, an artist, a writer, or a content creator, the things you produce are assets. Copyright registration is how you protect those assets.

At Ford Banister IP, we make the copyright process straightforward, so you can focus on creating while we focus on protecting.

What is a Copyright?

A copyright is the legal right that protects original creative works. It gives the creator control over how their work is used, shared, or sold. Copyright can cover:

Books, articles, and poetry
Music and lyrics
Movies and screenplays
Photography and artwork
Software code
Architecture and design

If you made it, it's your intellectual property and copyright helps keep it that way.

Why Register Your Copyright?

You automatically have copyright the moment your work is created and fixed in a tangible form (like written down or recorded). But registration gives you stronger protection.

With a registered copyright, you can:

Publicly establish yourself as the owner.
Enforce your rights if someone copies your work.
Sue for damages in federal court.
Qualify for statutory damages and attorney's fees (if you register before infringement).
Create an official record of ownership, which adds value to your work.

The Copyright Registration Process

The registration process can be tricky. That's where we come in.

At Ford Banister IP, we:

Prepare and file your application with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Ensure your work is properly classified for maximum protection.
Handle complications, like joint ownership or work-for-hire issues.
Provide guidance on maintaining and enforcing your copyright.

Common Copyright Questions

Do I need to register my copyright?
Not legally — but if you ever need to enforce your rights, registration is a powerful tool and sometimes required.

How long does copyright last?
In most cases, the life of the author plus 70 years. For works created by companies, different rules apply.

Protect Your Work Today

Your creativity is your livelihood. Don't wait until someone steals your work to protect it. We'll guide you through the copyright process from start to finish — making it simple, affordable, and effective.