At Munck Carter, we recognize that our clients’ original works of authorship are among their most valuable assets, and we regularly advise clients on the registration, licensing, sale and protection of their creations. We provide a full range of copyright services not only in the traditional areas of art works, architecture and writings, but in the more contemporary areas of computer software and other digital content, databases, web sites, photographs, advertisements, designs, e-books, e-manuals, mask works and other copyrightable subject matter. Our services include initial counseling on the advantages of copyright registration, preparation of specimens, preparation and filing of applications for copyright registration and recording of documents in the Copyright Office, such as security interests and assignments.
We also assist clients with their use of the copyrighted works of others. We provide advice regarding the fair use of copyrighted material and clear use where necessary. We negotiate and prepare a wide variety of agreements related to copyrighted works, such as development, distribution or license agreements, and we represent clients in transactions involving the grant of security interests in, licenses, leases or the purchase or sale of copyrighted works. In addition, we represent businesses in connection with establishing policies or preparing agreements regarding the confidentiality, reproduction, use and distribution of company copyrighted works, as well as determining and enforcing our clients’ rights in creations by their employees, consultants or contractors.
Finally, our copyright lawyers work with our trial lawyers and litigators both to enforce our clients’ copyrights and to defend our clients against infringement claims. Our litigation team has extensive experience handling disputes involving copyrighted material. We represent clients in federal court, as well as in proceedings before administrative agencies such as the Copyright Office or U.S. Customs agencies. Munck Carter defends clients in assertions of copyright infringement by business and trade associations designed to advance the interests of software developers (e.g., Business Software Alliance), the recording industries (e.g., Recording Industry Association of America), movie studios (e.g., Motion Picture Association of America) and the like.
