Got a killer idea for a horror movie? Great! But here’s a spooky truth: You can’t copyright a mere idea.
Copyright only protects the expression of that idea. That means your written screenplay, your finished film, your special effects makeup design, all of those can be protected.
The idea of a vampire? That’s not protectable. That’s why you see so many movies and books with similar concepts. But Bram Stoker’s novel and the movies based on it? Absolutely protectable by copyright. So, don’t just have a great idea. Get to work and turn it into a great piece of art.
Intellectual property is one of the most terrifyingly useful tools you have. If you’re a creator or other entrepreneur ready to build a frighteningly powerful brand and business, you need to know how to use it. You don’t have to face the darkness alone, though.
I help entrepreneurs across the U.S. make smart, legally sound decisions about their intellectual property. I’m an attorney in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, but I serve intellectual property clients nationwide.
If you’d like to consult with me, you can use my contact form or book a consultation online at kingpatentlaw.com or by calling my office at 312-596-2222 or 217-714-8558.
Please check out the other posts and pages on my website for more information on copyright and other intellectual property and business law issues. I’m also on most major podcast platforms as “Know Your Rights: Your Intellectual Property and Business Law Playbook” (video on YouTube and Spotify only) and on most social media as @kingpatentlaw.
RSS - Posts
