Copyright

While copyright protection in the arts industries is well known, this is a right that can be easily overlooked because it comes into existence automatically, protecting a diverse types of original works. In fact, copyright protected material is likely to be found in almost every aspect of a business.

A versatile right, it can protect literary and artistic works as well as a range of other types of work including databases and software. There is a common misperception that, for copyright to exist, the work in question has to have some creative merit. This is not the case, and even a set of instructions which you create to describe the operation of a product may enjoy the same extent of protection as a novel.

Examples of materials that are commonly created within businesses and in which copyright will therefore exist are:

  • Layout of a website
  • Computer software
  • GUIs
  • Instructional literature
  • Packaging get up
  • Artwork and photography created for corporate materials
  • Customer databases

We can help you to identify material created by your business which is protected by copyright, as well as advising you when others copy your work and infringe copyright.

Read more

"HLK combine technological expertise with a highly efficient organisation which is capable of working with accuracy."

Client testimonial, Legal 500 20/21

76

"They are extraordinarily responsive and knowledgeable and are my go-to firm for matters in the UK and the EU."

Client testimonial, Legal 500 20/21

Our team: Copyright

Nicole Ockl

Nicole Ockl

Partner, Head of Legal, Trademarks and Designs (Germany) | Litigation

View the whole team
 

Our protection services

Patents

Knowledgeable attorneys, savvy litigators and skilled paralegals – all under one roof.

Find out more

Designs

Knowing when design law can be deployed and how it interrelates with other IP rights can be the difference between success and failure.

Find out more

Copyright

An easily overlooked automatic right which is often linked to the arts, copyright protected material can be found in almost every aspect of a business.

Find out more

Renewals

Holding global portfolios and using state of the art technology, we ensure that your rights are maintained and renewed.

Find out more
Cross icon

HLK Ranked Gold in Every Category by Financial Times

Our specialist teams work in tandem with one another to provide a seamless service across a wide range of scientific areas. Subsequently, our attorneys’ and our paralegals’ esteemed work was highlighted in all six technology areas featured in the report.

Find out more