Protect Your Creative Work And Secure Fair Deals: Bay Area Copyright Attorney
Your work is your most valuable asset. Whether you are working through a complex publishing agreement or facing a fair use dispute, you need a partner who understands the nuance of copyright law, not just from the books but from the creator’s perspective. I am attorney Lawrence G. Townsend and I bring over 40 years of experience helping creative people, companies and firms handle copyright transaction matters.
Call my office today at 415-906-2792 to discuss your specific copyright needs.
Why Do Creators And Businesses Need A Bay Area Copyright Attorney?
Copyright law touches a wide range of creative and business activity. A poorly worded licensing agreement, a missed registration deadline or an unclear work-for-hire arrangement can cost you rights you assumed you had, often before you realize anything has gone wrong. I can help you secure your creative assets, negotiate your contracts and enforce your rights under federal law when necessary.
Many copyright disputes come down to one question: who actually owns the work? When agreements with contractors, collaborators or employees are vague or missing entirely, disputes around ownership can be costly and difficult to resolve in federal court. As your legal counsel, I will draft agreements that settle ownership clearly from the start. If a dispute does arise, I will protect your monetization rights and advocate for you through litigation.
Copyright Services For Creators And Businesses
My practice covers copyright matters across a wide range of industries and creative fields, including:
Creative Publishing
Publishing contracts shape an author’s rights for years, so the details matter. I work with authors, publishers and literary agents on book publishing agreements covering:
- Print, ebook and audio rights
- Royalty structures
- Option clauses
- Reversion rights
I will help you understand what you are agreeing to before you sign and identify the terms worth negotiating.
Digital And Tech
Copyright disputes in the digital space move quickly and can affect your ability to distribute your work overnight. My work in this area covers:
- Drafting and enforcing software licensing agreements
- Filing Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notices and counter-notifications
- Pursuing disputes involving platforms or other parties using your work without permission
I work with software developers, SaaS founders and online creators across all of these issues.
Visual Arts And Design
I work with photographers, illustrators, graphic designers, sculptors and architects on commercial licensing, work-for-hire agreements and ownership disputes. I also represent visual artists in moral rights claims under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) and the California Art Preservation Act. These laws give artists the right to prevent their work from being altered or destroyed, even after ownership has transferred to someone else.
Corporate IP Counsel
Content is an asset, and businesses that create or distribute it need agreements that reflect that. I work with content agencies, marketing firms, advertisers and startups on licensing arrangements, work-for-hire agreements and ownership transfers. I also review existing agreements to make sure nothing important has been left unresolved.
Federal Copyright Litigation
Some disputes cannot be resolved at the negotiating table. When that happens, I am ready to take the matter to court. I represent clients on both sides, whether that means bringing an infringement claim, defending against one, resolving an authorship dispute or pursuing a declaratory judgment action.
Legal Precision. A Published Author’s Perspective.
My background as a published fiction author gives me firsthand insight into what copyright actually means to the person who created the work. I have published two novels, and I am a member of the Authors Guild. I also speak on various aspects of IP law, writing and publishing. I have been on the other side of these issues, and that shapes how I approach every case.
Whether your work falls into the more elevated categories of literature, photography and fine art, or the more practical world of marketing materials, software and data compilations, I bring a creative’s perspective to the legal strategy.
A photographer, author or designer often feels more understood by a lawyer who has actually lived the creative process rather than one who has only studied it from a distance. That is the difference I bring to every copyright matter I handle.
Understanding Copyright Law
Copyright is governed by federal law under the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. Sections 101 through 810. A copyright grants its owner the exclusive right to reproduce, display, perform or distribute their creative work. I am well versed in Digital Millennium Copyright Act issues and DMCA compliance, which have become increasingly relevant as more creative work moves online.
For more information, review my copyright FAQ page to find answers to common questions about copyright transactions and disputes.
Schedule A Consultation Today
If you have a copyright transaction question or matter that needs attention, contact me, Lawrence G. Townsend, Intellectual Property Lawyer, by phone at 415-906-2792 or reach out online to schedule a consultation.