Hi all wondering if anyone can point me to anywhere or help me out. Basically I'm trying to get my head round some business type stuff.
If I've created a character, how do I make sure no one can copy them?
I'm based in the UK, does copyrighting cost? Do I have to trade mark it?
Also what is it called when everything sold with this character on it ie chocolate, figures, T-shirts earns me money. How does this work? Is this owning rights to it? Royalties? So much terminology!
Thanks in advance!
Your government copyright office will have all those answers, and if they don't a entertainment lawyer will.
Expect fees for copyright, COUNT ON fees for trademark.
Trademark is what will really protect your creation, but you must have a tanglible product of the creation to get a trademark.
Do not get suckered by the infamous "poor man's copyright"--the conventions have changed over the years and that old method offers no viable protection.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Thanks for the input.
I'm in the UK, I was under the impression that if I added a C and a TM to any art or scripts then I was covered. Also if I send these to myself post dated and don't open it then that's proof that they're my ideas on such a date so if someone copies this'll hold up in court. Is this wrong?
Royalties, does this happen in the contract stage rather than before then? It's my impression that you can get this for scripts, characters etc so that whenever a show is on or a T-Shirt sold you get a cut? Have you any experience in this, what kind of percentage of retail sales would you expect?
So many questions :) I have been in contact with an entertainment lawyer and have a free conceltation through a friend. I'd just like help in getting all my questions together and being prepared, rather than going in and not undersatnding anything.
what you are talking about is the poor mans copyright. it really dosent hold up anymore.
you will need to go through the motions and get this done legally. also if you think this idea is going to make you money then why wont you go out and spend to protect yourself?
as for roaylties, im sure there is a standard in eac business but all these things are negotiable depending on how badly the buyer wants it.
also almost all payment, points, share related details should be negotiated BEFORE signing anything.
A poor man's copyright is better than no protection at all, and in some cases will stand up to scrutiny.
Royalties and rights should be ironed out in a contract before you turn your work over to anyone.
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.
Nope, it won't.
Postmarks can be faked, and private persons can get postal meters and marking machines/equipment. Intellectual property disputes now climb into the arena of multi-million dollar litigation, the stakes are so high that you can GUARANTEE a challenge to a such a mark--as the mark CANNOT be recognized as official or authentic.
Only by being able to present notarized documents from a recognized office will you have solid proof of copyright.
This is why officially registering the item at a government copyright office is so important now.
"We all grow older, we do not have to grow up"--Archie Goodwin ( 1937-1998)
Agreed, and I have yet to do that with "Fly Guy." However, character art and a log line have been printed in the August issue of "Animation Magazine." I can always point to that as evidence that FG was made by me, and existed as of July 2006 (when AM had to have the art).
People are afraid of getting their stuff out there where it could be stolen, but in reality, the MORE it gets out there and the MORE peopel know it's your project,the LESS likely it is that someone will try to steal it.
For instance, go claim "Ren and Stimpy" as your creation, and see what happens. Everybody on the planet knows it's John K's.