Copyright

Copyright law aims to protect creative works. Works resulting from creative achievements of their creator. The holder of a copyright can prohibit anyone else from disclosing and reproducing his copyrighted works.

How does a copyright arise?

Copyright protection requires that the work have its own original character and bear the personal stamp of its creator. The work must be an expression of the author 's own, intellectual creation. There must be creative choices by the creator. There is a lower limit, however. Anything too banal or trivial has no copyright.

Unlike a trademark right, the creation of a copyright does not require registration. The right arises automatically when the work is created.

There are many objects that may be eligible for copyright protection. Examples include product packaging, product designs, website layouts, articles, musical works, films and photographic works. But also software and its preparatory materials. Technical processes, styles, methods and ideas that have not yet been expressed are generally not eligible for copyright protection.

What can I do with a copyright?

The copyright holder has the exclusive right to disclose and reproduce the work. This allows the holder, for example, to prohibit third parties from copying the work or making it available on a website. The holder can also give a third party permission to use or reproduce his work: the license.

Our expertise

Our IP and IT lawyers have extensive experience in the field of copyright law. Thus, the work includes drafting and reviewing license agreements, advising on copyright transfer and acting in the field of anti-counterfeiting.