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Contact our team anytime for a no-obligation chat about your legal matter. Once you speak with us, you will notice the difference yourself.
Call 0207 790 7311 or email contact@freemanharris.co.uk.
Copyright Lawyers
Our copyright solicitors offer smart copyright protection and management services to clients at a cost effective rate.
Protect Your Creative Works
Copyright is an automatic right which protects your original, creative work. Whether you are a business, creative professional, or entrepreneur, ensuring that your work isn’t unfairly copied or exploited is essential. Copyright protection under UK law ensures that your original creations from literature and music to software and broadcasts, are legally protected.
At Freeman Harris, our London-based copyright lawyers specialise in providing expert legal support to protect your creative work. Whether you’re facing an infringement of your copyright or looking to license your work, acting quickly is important in securing your rights and decreasing risks.
Why Copyright Protection Matters
Copyright gives creators the exclusive right to use, reproduce, and distribute their original works. The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, is the law, which establishes protections for a wide range of works, including:
- Original literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works
- Films, sound recordings, and broadcasts
- Typographical arrangements
Unlike trademarks, copyright does not require formal registration, as it arises automatically when your work meets the necessary originality and effort criteria. However, this simplicity can sometimes lead to misconceptions, and disputes over ownership or misuse are common.
Without copyright, your intellectual property could be exploited, leaving you without credit or monetary gain. By working with reputable copyright solicitors in London, you can ensure your creations are protected and leveraged to their full potential.
How Our Copyright Solicitors Help
Our team of London-based copyright lawyers provide complete copyright support. We can help you to evidence copyright ownership, enforce your exclusive rights, or draft licensing agreements and much more. We have developed a speciality in complex copyright disputes.
Our copyright services include:
- Copyright enforcement to prevent and address unauthorised use of your works
- Defending copyright infringement claims made against you
- Copyright licensing agreements to monetise your creations while retaining control
- Advice on copyright ownership, fair use exceptions, and joint authorship
We can assist clients across the UK and EU, thanks to our established network of international associates. We also keep our fees reasonable so you get world-class legal representation without the financial stress.
At Freeman Harris, we pride ourselves on an approachable, client-first approach. When you work with us, you’ll have the confidence that comes from knowing your creative rights are handled by true experts.
Some examples of our expertise include:
- Representing an emerging fashion brand whose designs were unlawfully used by another company for promotion.
- Advising a popular author in negotiating complex publishing terms with Penguin Books.
- Defending a leading online course provider against unfounded infringement allegations.
- Protecting a renowned rapper’s rights in disputes over music video ownership with a third-party production company.
Our experience shows that when copyright disputes are approached strategically, they can be resolved effectively, protecting your interests and paving the way for future growth.
Get Legal Support Today
Safeguarding your creative works doesn’t have to be complicated. At Freeman Harris, we provide practical legal assistance to help you protect, enforce, or license your intellectual property.
Call or email us for an initial free copyright advice. Whatever your copyright matter, or whether you need general guidance on UK copyright protection, we are here to help. Email contact@freemanharris.co.uk or call 0207 790 7311.
Copyright Law Contents
Copyright Solicitors Team
Talha Fazlani
LawyerTalha specialises in intellectual property law and has completed a PG Certificate in Intellectual Property. He assists clients with copyright protection, infringement disputes, licensing and other copyright-related matters. He supports businesses, creative professionals and entrepreneurs in protecting and enforcing their copyright rights.Lana James
ParalegalLana supports clients with copyright and intellectual property matters. She assists with legal research, document preparation and gathering information for copyright protection, licensing and disputes. She helps ensure matters progress efficiently and clients receive appropriate support throughout their legal matter.
Copyright Law Fees
Service
Fees
VAT
Total
Copyright Claim & Letter
From £1,200
£240
From £1,440
Copyright Infringement
From £300 per hour
£60
From £360 per hour
Copyright Licensing
From £800
£160
From £960
Common Copyright Questions
- What is copyright?
Copyright arises automatically; it is essentially the right to reproduce (i.e. copy), sell, licence and otherwise exploit ‘creative work’ for a period of time that varies according to the type of creative work produced.
You automatically get copyright protection when you create:
- original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work (drawing, illustration and photography)
- original non-literary written work, such as software, web content etc.
- sound and musical recordings
- film and television recordings as well as broadcasts
- How long does copyright protection last for?
There are different rules for the different categories of copyrights. For author or creators of original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work, the copyright would lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. If there are joint authors, then the lifetime applies until both authors pass away.
For any broadcasts (TV, radio or online) and computer generated works, copyright lasts for 50 years from the time the work was created.
Sound recordings last for 50 years from creation, and 70 years from publishing or being made available to the public.
For films, the copyright lasts for 70 years from the death of the director and/or other principals.
- Are there types of copyright infringement?
There are two types of copyright infringement:
- Primary infringement – this occurs when a person conducts any restricted acts without the permission of the copyright holder. This could be distributing another person’s copyrighted work without permission as an example.
- Secondary infringement – this occurs ‘further down the supply chain’ where infringing copyrighted works are dealt with or their production facilitated.
- What are the restricted acts only a copyright owner can conduct?
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988) provides the copyright owner exclusive rights in the UK to conduct the following restricted acts:
- copy the work
- issue (distribute) copies of the work to the public
- rent or lend the work
- perform, show or play the work in public
- communicate the work, and
- adapt it, or do any of the above restricted acts in relation to an adaptation
Any individual who isn’t the copyright owner and conducts any of the acts above, either directly or through another person, would be infringing a copyright.
- I am being pursued for trade mark infringement. What should I do?
Contact our Copyright Solicitors Team
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