Copyright protects original works created through intellectual and creative activity. It grants authors both moral rights and economic rights in their works.
Moral rights include, for example, the right to be identified as the author and the right to object to distortion or modification of the work. Economic rights allow the author to control the commercial use of the work and receive remuneration for such use.
Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself.
What works are protected by copyright?
Copyright protection applies to a wide range of creative works, including:
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literary works (books, articles, essays, blog posts);
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musical works and sound recordings;
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visual artworks (paintings, drawings, illustrations);
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audiovisual works (films, video productions);
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computer programs and software source code;
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databases;
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architectural projects;
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other original creative works.
Ownership and duration of copyright
The author (or group of authors) is the primary copyright holder.
Moral rights are inalienable and remain with the author permanently, while economic rights may be transferred to another person or company under employment agreements, contracts for commissioned works, or assignment agreements.
Economic copyright protection generally lasts for the lifetime of the author and 70 years after their death.
When does copyright arise?
Copyright protection arises automatically from the moment a work is created and fixed in a tangible form.
In many jurisdictions, copyright registration is not mandatory, but official registration can serve as important evidence of authorship and ownership, particularly in disputes or when dealing with investors, publishers, or business partners.
Our copyright services
Our firm provides legal support for copyright protection, registration, and commercialization in Ukraine and internationally.
Our services include:
Copyright registration
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preparation and filing of applications for state copyright registration in jurisdictions where such registration is available;
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representation before copyright offices and relevant authorities.
Copyright agreements
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drafting copyright assignment agreements;
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drafting license agreements for the use of copyrighted works;
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preparation of agreements for commissioned works and software development.
Registration of rights transfers
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recording the transfer of economic rights to copyrighted works;
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preparation of supporting documentation for ownership confirmation.
Copyright disputes
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representation in copyright infringement disputes before courts and other authorities;
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assistance in protecting authors’ rights and enforcing copyright claims.
Evidence of authorship
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assistance in securing documentary evidence of authorship for use in legal or commercial contexts.
We assist authors, software developers, creative professionals, and businesses in protecting and managing copyright assets effectively.