COPYRIGHTS, DOMAIN NAMES & TRADEMARKS IN A NUTSHELL

A copyright is a legal protection for creators of literary, artistic, musical, dramatic and other original, publishable works. Generally, copyrights give the creators of such works the exclusive right to use them. This includes the exclusive right to reproduce and display the work, to prepare derivative works, to perform the work (for example songs and plays) and to distribute the work. These rights belong to the creator during his or her lifetime and for fifty years thereafter. Each right may be transferred or sold, together or individually. For example, a songwriter could sell the right to publicly perform a song, but keep the right to distribute recordings to the public. Copyrights are governed exclusively by federal statute. Read More »

ACCESS TO COURT RECORDS IS PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION

Access to court records is protected by the Constitution, federal common law, and in state courts, rules of procedure and court administration. The right of access is not absolute. Standards for access differ between federal and state courts, as well as between different types of state courts (civil, criminal, family and juvenile justice courts). Moreover, various statutes may either limit access to particular court documents or grant the public a greater right of access than the Constitution affords. Read More »

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