Verna Law, P.C. is a premier boutique law firm with a unique focus on Intellectual Property (Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Advertising, and Media Law). Anthony M. Verna III, Managing Partner, has served the New York City metropolitan region since 2005.
OUR COPYRIGHT LAWYERS HAVE COMBINED OVER 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE
We Will Fight For Your Copyright
Have you written a novel, a book of poems, a play, a song, or a movie? Or maybe you’ve created a new kind of computer software or architectural design? If so, you’re probably considering copyrighting your literary, dramatic, musical, or artistic work.
Copyright lawyers help you or your company protect the works you create, so only you or your company can make money off your work. Basically, copyright protection is a set of rights granted by the government for expressions of ideas or information. That means that you can’t copyright an idea itself—only an original expression of the idea. For example, if you have an idea for a novel but haven’t written it, you can’t copyright it. But if you’ve written your novel, copyrighted it and somebody else publishes it, they’re infringing on your copyright. Only original works of authorship qualify for the protection of copyright.
That’s where the right copyright lawyer can help. Our team of copyright lawyers at Verna Law is here to protect you or your company’s work, and we do that to further scientific and artistic progress. Since copyrights grant authors and creators a temporary monopoly, or ownership of exclusive rights for a specified length of time, they help encourage and promote creativity and knowledge. Copyright owners have the exclusive right to copy and sell their works and the right to stop potential copyright infringers in federal court. Verna Law provides copyright law services for clients of all sizes, from creative artists to business owners to entertainment companies to corporate clients.
If you want to be a part of artistic and scientific progress through copyrighting your work, or if you have any questions about copyright registration, protection or filing, get in touch with our knowledgeable team of copyright lawyers.
Copyright Law serving New York City
Copyright Registrations
Once your work becomes tangible, it’s technically copyrighted. In other words, as soon as you’ve created your work and it’s in a format that can be accessed by others (i.e., a book that’s been written or a song that’s been recorded), it’s technically copyrighted. But while you don’t have to officially register your copyright, it’s still a smart idea. If you don’t register your copyright in the U.S. Copyright Office of the Library of Congress, you won’t have the same legal protection you would’ve if someone infringes on your copyright. Generally, a copyright expires 70 years after the author’s death, or in the case of a joint author situation, 70 years after the last author’s death. So, copyright registration is valuable. Our copyright attorneys can work with you to register your copyright, answer any questions you may have about the process, and do it all cost-effectively. Register your copyright. Learn More
Copyright Litigation
Copyright infringement is when someone takes the rights that a copyright owner has without permission. This can mean creating copies of a copyrighted architectural blueprint, selling copies of a copyrighted screenplay, or publicly performing a copyrighted musical. If your copyright is being infringed upon, or you’re being accused of copyright infringement, our copyright lawyers have extensive experience working on copyright infringement lawsuits. Led by Managing Partner Anthony M. Verna III, who’s admitted to the Southern District of New York (Federal courthouse in Manhattan) and the Eastern District of New York (Federal courthouse in Brooklyn), our copyright lawyers have over 60 years of combined intellectual property litigation experience and can fight for your rights. Litigation can ask a wide range of questions in copyright matters: What works of art are copyrighted? What is the market for the copyrighted work? Is the accused use in fair use?
See how our copyright attorneys can help. Learn More
Copyright FAQ
You have questions. We have answers. For example, what is the area of fair use: a case where the copyright owner can’t block a derivative work, or a work that’s based on their copyrighted work, including criticism, comment (such as satire or review), news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. What kinds of creative works deserve copyright protection? What’s the Digital Millennium Copyright Act? What federal courts can hear my copyright infringement case? What are literary works? Or maybe you’re wondering whether willful infringement of a copyright can result in more damages (in some cases, yes), whatever your questions, our copyright lawyers work with you to make sure you understand everything. Questions about copyrights? Get answers. Learn More
Our Copyright Legal Team
The right intellectual property law can make all the difference in protecting you and your ideas. We pride ourselves on being your trusted copyright lawyers in New York City. With over 60 years of combined experience, we offer big firm law expertise with the attention and speed you only get from a small firm. Our team is here to fight for the intellectual property rights in what you create.
Anthony M. Verna III
Managing Partner
Anthony is a member of both the New York and New Jersey Bars, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He is a sought-after business speaker and has built Verna Law, P.C. to have a strong focus on Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Domain Names, Entertainment, and Advertising law, providing Intellectual Property services for modern businesses who want to promote and protect themselves and stand out in this market. His law degree is from Rutgers Law School. Anthony is an intellectual property attorney who has worked on patent protection, trademark applications, design patents, trade secrets, unfair competition, patent law litigation, trademark law litigation, trademark infringement, trademark protection, and copyright law litigation. Anthony has over 20 years of experience and has worked on various types of patents for various industries, including toys, medical devices, consumer products, and pharmaceutics, and international patents. Outside of law, Anthony likes drinking a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (his family is from the region), his first concert was Tori Amos, and he plays tuba and guitar. Learn more about Anthony here.
Wil Jacques
Patent Agent
With over 25 years of extensive experience in engineering, manufacturing, sales, strategic marketing, and technology licensing for government, industrial, and private sector organizations and clients, Wil is a patent valuation and licensing expert. He is registered at the United States Patent and Trademark Office as a patent agent and works on patent applications throughout the patent process including office actions. Wil is the lead in protecting patented products Judy focuses on telecommunications, media and intellectual property issues. With a unique blend of private practice and in-house experience, Judy spent ten years with GTE Corporation (now Verizon), acquiring substantial experience in public utility regulation and administrative law. She has also served as General Counsel for Fisher Communications, Inc., a major Northwest broadcast corporation. Judy is one of our copyright attorneys, as she has represented a copyright owner of musical works in federal court before joining Verna Law.at Verna Law, P.C., including drafting a provisional patent applications, utility patents, patent claims, and patent application preparation. His substantial expertise is on assisting early-stage companies in attracting capital investments and out-licensing opportunities with larger, more established market players including government, venture capital firms, and medium to large-size corporations. Wil is an avid golfer. Learn more about Wil here.
Judy Endejan
Litigation Consultant
Judy focuses on telecommunications, media and intellectual property issues. With a unique blend of private practice and in-house experience, Judy spent ten years with GTE Corporation (now Verizon), acquiring substantial experience in public utility regulation and administrative law. She has also served as General Counsel for Fisher Communications, Inc., a major Northwest broadcast corporation. Judy is one of our copyright attorneys, as she has represented a copyright owner of musical works in federal court before joining Verna Law. Learn more about Judy here.
Copyright Cases in New York City
Here are some recent copyright cases
Case Summary: Pena v. Roc Nation LLC
Court: United States District Court, S.D. New York
Date: June 17, 2024
Citation: Slip Copy, 2024 WL 3028032
Background: Pena, a songwriter and producer, filed a lawsuit against Roc Nation LLC, alleging copyright infringement. Pena claimed that Roc Nation used his musical composition without authorization in one of their high-profile releases.
Facts:
- Pena created a musical composition that he shared with Roc Nation during a pitch meeting in 2022.
- In 2023, Roc Nation released a song that Pena alleged incorporated substantial portions of his composition.
- Pena argued that the similarities between his work and the released song were too significant to be coincidental, constituting copyright infringement.
Legal Issues:
- Whether Pena’s musical composition is protected under copyright law.
- Whether Roc Nation LLC’s song infringed on Pena’s copyright by incorporating elements of his composition without permission.
Court’s Analysis:
- The court examined the originality and copyrightability of Pena’s composition, confirming that it met the necessary criteria for protection.
- A detailed analysis was conducted comparing the two works, focusing on melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrical content.
- The court assessed evidence, including expert testimonies, to determine if the similarities were substantial and if Roc Nation had access to Pena’s work.
Decision: The court ruled in favor of Pena, concluding that Roc Nation LLC’s song did indeed infringe upon Pena’s copyrighted composition. The similarities were found to be substantial, and the evidence indicated that Roc Nation had access to Pena’s work.
Key Points:
- Original musical compositions are protected under copyright law.
- Unauthorized use of substantial elements of a copyrighted composition can result in copyright infringement.
- Access and substantial similarity are critical factors in determining copyright infringement in musical works.
Implications: This case underscores the importance of respecting copyright in the music industry and highlights the legal consequences of using another artist’s work without permission. It also emphasizes the role of detailed comparative analysis and expert testimony in resolving copyright disputes involving musical compositions.
Case Summary: Neu Productions Inc. v. Outside Interactive, Inc.
Court: United States District Court, S.D. New York
Date: June 13, 2024
Citation: Slip Copy, 2024 WL 2992351
Background: Neu Productions Inc. filed a lawsuit against Outside Interactive, Inc., alleging copyright infringement. Neu Productions claimed that Outside Interactive used its copyrighted photographs without permission on its website and in its mobile application.
Facts:
- Neu Productions is a photography company that creates and licenses photographs for commercial use.
- Outside Interactive operates a website and a mobile application that provide outdoor recreation and travel information.
- Neu Productions alleged that Outside Interactive used several of its photographs on its website and in its mobile application without obtaining the necessary licenses.
Legal Issues:
- Whether Neu Productions’ photographs are protected under copyright law.
- Whether Outside Interactive’s use of Neu Productions’ photographs constitutes copyright infringement.
Court’s Analysis:
- The court first determined that Neu Productions’ photographs were original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression and therefore eligible for copyright protection.
- The court then analyzed whether Outside Interactive’s use of the photographs constituted infringement, considering factors such as the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect of the use on the market for the original work.
Decision: The court ruled in favor of Neu Productions, finding that Outside Interactive’s use of Neu Productions’ photographs constituted copyright infringement. The court awarded damages to Neu Productions and issued an injunction prohibiting Outside Interactive from further use of the photographs without authorization.
Key Points:
- Original photographs are protected under copyright law.
- Unauthorized use of copyrighted photographs can constitute copyright infringement, subjecting the infringing party to damages and injunctive relief.
Implications: This case highlights the importance of obtaining proper licenses for the use of copyrighted works, including photographs, to avoid copyright infringement liability. It also underscores the value of copyright protection in the commercial photography industry and the legal remedies available to copyright holders whose works are infringed upon.
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