Copyright Infringement Suits
Nashville Copyright Infringement Attorneys
Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Representation in Nashville
Diligently protecting your intellectual property is an important part of succeeding in the entertainment industry. Whether you are an individual or a business, you have the right to take legal action against any party who unlawfully exploits your copyrighted material.
If you discover your copyrighted work is being stolen or misused, do not wait to get legal advice. At Lackey McDonald, PLLC, we leverage our many decades of collective legal experience to help our entertainment industry clients seek justice. Our Nashville copyright infringement lawyers are fierce litigators who are well-versed in complex matters of business law. We can help you take civil legal action and fight to recover damages. Our firm enjoys an outstanding reputation and has what it takes to win these cases. You will have direct access to our legal professionals from beginning to end, and we will leverage the full extent of our resources to pursue the best possible outcome.
Considering filing a copyright infringement lawsuit? Call (615) 392-4916 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation with our team.
What Is Copyright?
Copyright is a form of intellectual property that protects original creative works. The owner of a copyright has the exclusive legal ability to publish, copy, distribute, and perform the creative work. Copyrights are distinct from trademarks, another form of intellectual property that protects logos, symbols, slogans, and other combinations of words and imagery used to differentiate products, services, and companies.
Copyrights protect many types of original creative works, including:
- Novels
- Films
- Paintings
- Poetry
- Musical compositions and lyrics
- Computer software
- Architectural designs
A work automatically receives copyright protection when it is created. To file a copyright infringement lawsuit, however, the work’s creator must register it. You can register a copyright for purposes of taking legal action even if the infringement has already occurred, but it is still in your best interest to proactively register copyrights whenever possible. Our team at Lackey McDonald, PLLC can help you determine whether your creative works are eligible for copyright protection and offer guidance throughout the registration process.
A copyright remains valid throughout the lifetime of its creator plus 70 years after they pass away. If a corporation authors a copyrightable work, the copyright is valid for 95 years after its first publication or 120 years since its creation, whichever comes first.
How Do Copyright Infringement Lawsuits Work?
When you create a copyrightable work, it does not matter if you have taken the formal steps to register what you made: No one else can republish, distribute, or otherwise use your work without your permission.
A civil lawsuit filed against a copyright infringer may allow you to recover actual or statutory damages. If you can demonstrate you suffered calculable losses as a direct result of the infringement, the court may award a commensurate level of compensation. Otherwise, the statutory damages for these cases in Tennessee range from $750 to $30,000 per work infringed. If there is evidence that the infringement was willful, you can potentially recover up to $150,000 per work infringed.
Our Nashville copyright infringement attorneys can strategically represent you in and out of the courtroom. We understand how these cases are decided in Tennessee and will fight to secure maximum compensation.
You only have a limited time to take legal action against copyright infringement, so call (615) 392-4916 or contact us online to discuss your case with our team. Flexible payment options and same-day appointments are available.
