Copyright Attorney in Denver
In the digital age, creative works are easier to copy, distribute, and exploit without authorization than ever before. At Williams Intellectual Property, we protect the original works of authors, artists, software developers, designers, and businesses across Denver and nationwide. Whether you need to register a valuable creative asset, draft a robust licensing agreement, or stop an infringer from stealing your work, our experienced Denver copyright attorneys provide the strategic counsel and aggressive advocacy you need.
Maximizing the Value of Your Creative Assets
Copyright protection exists automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible medium. However, common law copyright is incredibly weak when it comes to enforcement. To unlock the full power of federal copyright law — including the right to sue for infringement and recover statutory damages — you must register your work with the United States Copyright Office.
At Williams Intellectual Property, we help creators and businesses secure their portfolios. We handle copyright registrations for a wide variety of works, including:
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Software & Code: Protecting proprietary source code, databases, and user interfaces. This is critical for tech startups who need to protect their proprietary platforms from being copied or reverse-engineered.
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Visual & Graphic Arts: Securing logos, product designs, architectural drawings, and photography.
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Written Works: Protecting books, manuals, marketing copy, and website content.
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Audio & Video: Securing music, podcasts, training videos, and films.
Our Denver Copyright Services
Federal Copyright Registration
We streamline the registration process with the U.S. Copyright Office. We ensure your application is categorized correctly, the deposit materials are compiled in compliance with federal rules, and any pre-existing material is properly disclosed. Vetting your application before filing prevents delays and ensures your registration is legally enforceable.
Copyright Infringement & Litigation
If someone has stolen your creative work, or if you have been falsely accused of copyright infringement, we provide aggressive, trial-ready representation. Ben Williams has a proven track record of successfully settling copyright infringement claims out of court and winning judgments for clients in federal court. We act swiftly to send cease-and-desist letters, file DMCA takedown notices, and pursue statutory damages, actual damages, and attorney's fees in court.
Copyright Licensing & Transactions
Your copyright is a commercial asset that can be bought, sold, or licensed to generate recurring revenue. We draft and negotiate robust copyright license agreements, work-for-hire contracts, and assignment agreements. We ensure that ownership rights are clearly defined, royalty structures are secure, and your interests are fully protected.
Why Register Your Copyright Early?
Waiting to register your copyright until after infringement occurs can severely limit your legal options. Here is why early registration is critical:
Timing of Registration
Within 3 Months of Publication (or before infringement)
After Infringement Occurs
Can You Sue in Federal Court?
YES — Full legal rights
YES — But only after registration is complete
Can You Recover Statutory Damages?
YES — Up to $150,000 per willful infringement
NO — Limited to actual damages (often hard to prove)
Can You Recover Attorney's Fees?
YES — Infringer pays your legal fees
NO — You must pay your own legal fees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does copyright protect, and what does it exclude?
Copyright protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium. This includes software code, literary works, musical compositions, paintings, photographs, and architectural designs. However, copyright does not protect ideas, systems, methods of operation, mathematical concepts, or raw data. For example, copyright can protect the specific text of a book explaining a business method, but it cannot prevent someone else from using that business method.
How much does it cost to register a copyright?
Copyright registration is one of the most cost-effective forms of intellectual property protection. The federal filing fee is typically $45 to $65 per work, and our attorney fees for preparing and submitting the application are structured as affordable flat rates. Given the massive legal advantages registration provides, it is an essential investment for any creative business.
What are "Statutory Damages" in copyright law?
Statutory damages are pre-established financial awards set by federal law that a court can award to a copyright owner in an infringement lawsuit. If your work was registered in a timely manner, you do not have to prove the exact dollar amount of financial harm you suffered (which is often extremely difficult to do). Instead, the court can award between $750 and $30,000 per infringed work, and up to $150,000 if we can prove the infringement was willful.
What is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)?
The DMCA is a federal law that provides a powerful mechanism for removing infringing content from the internet. If someone posts your copyrighted images, text, or software on a website or social media platform without your permission, we can draft and submit a formal DMCA Takedown Notice to the website host. By law, the host must act quickly to remove the infringing content to avoid being held liable themselves.
How long does copyright protection last?
For works created by an individual author, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For "works made for hire" (such as software or content created by an employee for a business), copyright protection lasts for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.
Speak with a Denver Copyright Attorney Today
Whether you are a software startup protecting your codebase or an artist defending your portfolio, Williams Intellectual Property is here to protect your creative rights.