Tag Archives: laws

Software Copyright Laws

Since computer programs are relatively new, software copyright laws are still often being changed and reformed. Today there are millions of different types of computer programs and software that have many different functions. Software can help users obtain music, protect them from viruses, access the internet and many other beneficial services. With the constant advances of computer programs, many people feel that the software copyright laws are either not strict enough or that they are just not being enforced. In the mid seventies an organization was created, called The Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted Works. Their main focus is to enforce all copyright laws especially software copyright laws. The commission was formed because at the time, it was obvious that computer programs had no real regulations or protections. The President and congress knew that there was a need for software copyright laws. Computer software was new at the time. So not only was there a need to protect names of software, but software copyright laws were needed to protect characteristics of individual software as well as specific unique functions. In the early eighties, The House of Representatives and The Senate worked together to add “computer … Continue reading

Music Copyright Laws Can Hurt Musicians

In the United States, music copyright laws are in place to protect the author of the music. Music copyright laws are intended to prevent people or companies from stealing and using music that is not theirs. However, the author of a piece of music defined by music copyright law may not be the real author. This happens when record companies abuse the music copyright laws and manipulate musicians. History tells us that music copyright laws protect the record companies more than they protect musicians themselves. Popular established record companies such as Virgin Records, Sony, Elektra and Legacy are known to abide by music copyright law. However, there are many smaller record companies that use music copyright law to their advantage in order to manipulate musicians. There are thousands of unsigned bands in the United States that have been together for a long time and continue to work hard even though they have never received a record contract. It is these bands that the smaller record companies look for; frustrated musicians who are just looking for a break. The record company will pick a band that they feel can produce successful songs. They will then offer the band a record contract … Continue reading

Barack Obama’s Reform on Patent Laws

Even before Barack Obama was elected as the forty fourth President of The United States, he had a focused and cohesive plan to reform this country’s patent laws. The patent laws that are in place now are good in theory, however, the lack of enforcement of the current patent laws is creating a problem for many American inventors. There has been a major push for reform of the patent laws for years. Unfortunately, few president have chosen to concern themselves with the matter. President Barack Obama sees reform of current patent law as an encouragement to American innovation. • Advancements of technology have been unprecedented in recent years and President Obama wants to inspire American citizens to keep this going. Current patent law gives inventors the rights to their own inventions in the country in which they reside. International agreements suggest that patents should be recognized in most other countries. However, there have been many issues of foreign countries not enforcing patent law. For those who’s inventions or ideas covered by patent law have been stolen, legal action can be taken. The problem lies in the process of receiving justice in this situation. What President Barack Obama is trying to … Continue reading

Do Internet Copyright Laws Exist?

The internet has gone through many major advancements in recent years. In the age of Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and blogs the internet is a source for endless information and constant instant communication. Websites quickly went from being owned only by established businesses to virtually anyone who wanted one. With all this personal work, many have been asking questions about internet copyright laws. Do internet copyright laws exist? The answer to that question is yes, internet copyright laws do exist and they are very clear and simple. However, it is a very difficult task to keep an eye on the millions, possibly billions of websites that exist on the internet. Since most people are not aware of the internet copyright laws, there is one huge misconception about internet copyright law. Many people believe that if a certain piece of work or image does not have a copyright mark or is not listed as being copyrighted, it is not copyrighted. This is not true. Internet copyright law suggests that everything on an original website is copyrighted and is protected by internet copyright law. It is possible and rather likely that people are breaking internet copyright law on a daily basis. Especially … Continue reading

The Benefit of Patent Law Firms

It is very expensive for an inventor to get a patent on an idea. However, if possible, applicants should research patent law firms in their area. The application process can be can be very confusing and time consuming for some. Unless you know patent law well, it is in the inventor’s best interest to find a patent law firm and hire a patent lawyer. Patent law firms will make sure your idea is safe and will suggest how to present your idea in the best possible way. A patent law firm can present your idea to the Patent and Trademark Office for you, if you do not feel that you are the best possible candidate to do so. Patent law firms know patent law like the back of their hand and their assistance can help you get your idea approved. In many cases, an attorney from a patent law firm will completely represent their client throughout the entire process. This would mean that the inventor would be present, but the attorney from the patent law firm would present the idea and handle any legal conversations and possibly legal paper work. There are lots of people in The United States who … Continue reading

Napster Broke Federal Copyright Laws

During the last couple years of the 1990s, a new computer program became available for download for free. This new program was called Napster. It was one of a kind and quickly became popular. The purpose of the program was to provide users with free music. The concept was that users would upload music onto the program and then share their music. Other users could then download your music and vise versa. Eventually, millions of users were able to all share their music collection with each other. The music was in mp3 format which is simple to download and play from almost any media players. It was not long until professional musicians became aware of this program and started asking questions regarding federal copyright law. According to federal copyright laws, one cannot make copies of a band’s CD and sell it without the band’s permission. Napster was promoting free music trading which in any other format, would break federal copyright law. However, trading music on the internet was a new concept in 2000 when the first legal challenge came about, so not everyone was sure whether or not Napster broke any federal copyright laws. • In 2000, heavy metal band … Continue reading

Trademark Laws

There are millions of companies in The United States and many of them own registered trademarks. A trademark is any sort of specific image that is put on products or property to prove ownership by the person, business or organization that owns the trademark. Trademark laws protect the trademark owners from another party stealing or using their trademark in any way shape or form. Trademark laws are strict and there is zero tolerance when it comes to using a registered trademark. A trademark can be taken away from its owner if the courts find that it is not being used properly. Trademark laws suggest that after a trademark is officially registered, rightful ownership of that trademark is based on identification. If a individual or business is constantly using their trademark to identify themselves on their products or property, than trademark law allows the owner to maintain ownership. However, if courts find that an owner of a registered trademark is allowing other parties to use their trademark, trademark law allows a judge to remove ownership of that particular trademark. If a party does not care about the status of their trademark and whether or not it is being used to identify … Continue reading