Welcome to drishti Law

Providing Trademarks, Copyrights & Other intellectual property legal services In Illinois

Copyright Lawyer Illinois

Copyright is a known and renowned term amongst content creators, artists, inventors, and such. A copyright is essentially the proof of ownership over an ‘original creative work’. The rights are vested with the creator the moment that work comes into existence. 

This is the biggest advantage provided by copyright law as it means that the owner doesn’t have to register the work under the law to establish their ownership – the law automatically recognizes it. However, registering the work is necessary to protect it from infringement. The remedy for infringement is present in the form of statutory damages i.e., they are provided by the Copyright Act, however, they can only be availed if the work is registered under the said statute.  

The general rule regarding copyright law is that the rights are vested with the owner but in certain circumstances, it allows the use of specific types of work by other people.

These are just the basics of copyright as there is a lot more to know and understand in this area of intellectual property. If you wish to learn more about the legal issues of copyrights and want to know how a copyright attorney in Illinois can help you, Drishti Law is here to guide you. 

If at the end of your reading, you find the information helpful and wish to seek legal assistance from an experienced attorney, contact us by booking a free appointment with our principal attorney at Drishti Law. Our law firm is specialized in the matters of copyright, trademark, trade secrets, and IP litigation, and serves clients from all over Illinois.

Copyright Law – An Overview

Copyright law grants protection to the original work created by people such as software developers, artists, photographers, writers, music composers, and others, and also provides an opportunity to monetize that work for financial return. 

As stated above, copyright protection is granted as soon as the work is created and it lasts for the artist’s lifetime with an additional 70 years after their death. Types of work protected by the law is endless however a partial list can be presented here: 

    1. Literary works
    2. Visual art
    3. Performative pieces
    4. Audio recordings
    5. Computer software
    6. Mobile applications (apps)
    7. Architectural plans

Intellectual Property Not Protected Under Copyright

Although we have stated that the list of protected works under copyright is vast, there are still certain limitations. Keep in mind that copyright does not protect ideas, designs, processes, or a unique logo, phrase, or word as these types of intellectual property can be protected as trademarks, trade secrets, and patents. 

The U.S. has an agreement regarding the copyright laws with certain countries which means that the materials protected under domestic law are also protected by the laws of those countries. However, since it is a limited list, you can reach out to our intellectual property lawyer in Illinois to know in which countries the U.S. protection is not applicable.

Copyright Infringement Issues

Enforcement of copyright is another major concern for copyright owners. Particularly in this regard is the concern of infringement. Infringement pertains to unlawful and unauthorized use of someone else’s work. In other words, reproducing, distributing, adapting, deriving, or displaying someone else’s work without the permission of the owner would constitute an infringement under the copyright law. 

The popular and most effective method to combat infringement is by initiating litigation against the violating party however, this is also the most costly route. At Drishti Law, we understand that not every client would be eager to undertake litigation as a solution to their problem, rather they would want alternative recommendations. Therefore, our principal intellectual property lawyer in Illinois offers strategic solutions to his clients so that the dispute is resolved in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner.

Reasons to Choose Our Intellectual Property Lawyer in Illinois

Hiring an attorney for intellectual property concerns is not a fixed rule – you can independently handle many of the matters on your own. However, seeking legal assistance does have its benefits. For instance, the process of registration is straightforward and you can carry it out on your own but an IP lawyer would make the whole process easy and manageable for you.

Drishti Law is more than an intellectual property law firm. We aim to provide our clients with all-rounder services that not only resolve their problems but are also not burdensome on their time and resources. Our IL intellectual property attorney has considerable experience in handling copyright cases, from registering them to litigating and defending infringement cases in competent courts. He has represented several of his clients in different capacities and acquired relief for them. 

Here are three notable reasons why our principal attorney would be most suited for you: 

  • Individual Attention and Specialized Counseling: Drishti Law provides its clients with tailored plans based on their needs. We understand that every individual or business has unique requirements and they come to a lawyer precisely to seek a solution for their particular problem. In such circumstances, it is only practical to provide them with a tailored strategy instead of having a standard plan for all. 

  • Efficient and Cost-effective Strategy: Whether you are seeking to register your copyright or you wish to enforce your ownership rights, our intellectual property lawyer in Illinois ensures that your matter is resolved promptly and without putting much burden on your pocket.

  • Experience: Our principal lawyer at Drishti Law has years of experience in the field of intellectual property and has catered to clients with all types of IP-related problems, thus giving him an all-rounder experience in this field.

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    FAQs

    Q: Can you sue for your Copyright?

    You have the right to sue for your ownership rights if your original creative work is registered with the US Copyright Office. If this is not the case, then you might face restrictions in suing the infringing party.

    Q: What types of work are protected under the Copyright law?

    A copyright protects a creator’s “original works of authorship”, and this can include anything from music, artistic, any literary work such as a screenplay, or a novel, and such.

    Q: What is the use of transferring a copyright?

    As is evident from the phrase, transferring of copyright occurs when the owner wishes to grant their ownership rights to another person. If the owner is transferring only certain number and types of rights from their copyright, then a written agreement signed by the owner or their attorney is required.  On the contrary, if the matter concerns the transferring of non-exclusive rights then a written agreement is not required, however, it is usually advisable.

    Q: WHow long does the Copyright last in the U.S.?

    According to copyright law, original creative work is protected for a lifetime and 70 years after the author’s death. If the work has multiple authors, then the period is the same i.e. the work is protected till the last author passes away. However, the protection span is different for works with anonymous authors or authors having pseudonyms i.e. the term lasts 95 years from the date of publication and 120 years after the creation of the work. 

    To know if your work is eligible for protection, you can contact our copyright lawyer.

    Q: How much does it cost to hire our copyright attorney?

    At Drishti Law, we offer tailored plans to our clients so there is no fixed fee except for the copyright registration fee (since this is the Copyright Office fee). You can reach out to our firm to get a quote based on your needs.

     

    Contact our Intellectual Property Law Firm today

    At Drishti Law, our principal attorney in Illinois advises clients and provides comprehensive solutions in an affordable range. Here, we ensure that the plan is catered to the specific needs of the clients and it resolves the issues faced by their businesses. 

    With a focus on personalized attention, our principal attorney ensures that each client receives expert consultation. The law firm also collaborates with international associates worldwide for cases comprising transborder registration and litigation. 

    If you wish to book an appointment with our attorney, you can do so simply by clicking here

    What We Do

    Practice Area

    Copyright Service

    The US Copyright system is designed to protect creators while incentivizing others to create original and innovative work. At Drishti Law we offer clear and concise guidance regarding various copyright issues.

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    Trademarks Service

    The legal process for brand development begins with trademark registration. A trademark lawyer at Drishti Law, a law firm based out of Chicago, can get you there…

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    Cannabis Trademark

    At Drishti Law, we perfectly prepare cannabis trademark applications which will effortlessly protect clients without giving governments doubts which will lead to rejecting the application.

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    Let’s talk about Intellectual property protection strategy

    Making the most of your
    intellectual property

    Protect

    Prepare for injuries
    before that happen

    Act

    Act and take measures right after
    an accident occurs

    Recover

    Act and take measures right after
    an accident occurs

    Why Choose Drishti Law?

    As Your Intellectual Property Law Firm

    Skillful, creative counsel

    In today’s information clogged world, businesses need more than a linear approach of the past. The planning for future risks is not optional. We will help you protect today, while still thinking about tomorrow.

    Personalized attention

    We are able to avoid administrative delays and focus on you by extensive use of automation and technology. From the moment you contact the firm, we will focus on your issues personally and customize the right solution for you.

    Transparency and Efficiency

    We offer a clear channel of communication, with no surprise costs and streamlined processes that will create a smooth experience. The combination of our experience with the use of automation & technology allows us to avoid big law firms’ costs that usually get passed down to the client.

    Knowledgeable intellectual property

    As the intellectual property field continues to evolve, we at Drishti Law continue to learn and remain informed of all new developments to provide the edge you need to succeed.

    meet Our Attorney

    Sahil Malhotra

    Education : J.D. University of Illinois – Chicago school of law
    Bar Admission : Illinois (Admitted 2021), District of Columbia (Admitted 2022)

    Sahil Malhotra is an Intellectual Property Attorney, who founded Drishti (“vision”) law because of his vision in protecting dreams and ideas. It is a continuation of his passion and experience as a student attorney at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Law Intellectual Property Clinic. He provided individuals and small businesses with an opportunity to enhance their IP’s value by helping them register trademarks and successfully argue against office actions. In addition to his training and experience, he has been deeply involved in the multifaceted IP portfolio at UIC and continues to be associated with IP organizations and conferences.

    Additionally, Sahil’s experience as a trademark law clerk at the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) confirmed his aspiration to pursue a career in practicing intellectual property law. Together, his experience at the IP clinic, USPTO, and continued involvement in the IP community have resulted in a full spectrum IP law firm.

    Sahil is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois and has the requisite acumen to provide effective solutions for managing your portfolio. He understands the challenges faced by innovators, creators, startups, and businesses in today’s hyper competitive market. Your vision needs protection. Let Sahil help you develop a competent formula for success.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What practice areas does your law firm cover?

    Drishti Law offers a wide variety of Intellectual property services to individuals and small businesses. Our services cover, but are not limited to, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, Copyrights, and Data Privacy. We will use every resource available, to be a one stop shop for all matters when it relates to your ventures.

    Do you charge for consultations?

    Our initial consultation will be a short conversation to discuss your matter and will be free of charge. Any follow-up conversation regarding the matter will be covered in our engagement agreement.

    What is the best way to contact you?

    Feel free to reach us at info@drishtilaw.com or (773) 234-1139.

    How many locations do you have?
    As of right now, we have one location in Chicago but are working towards expansion across other major regions of the country.
    Do you require clients to meet in person?
    No, all of our interactions can take place over the phone, email, and/or through a video call. If preferred, we can arrange a meeting in person
    How would you like your client to be prepared?
    Prior to our initial consultation we will require you to fill out an intake form detailing your matter, it is imperative that you provide us with all relevant facts and documentation surrounding the issue as it will help us be prepared for our call.
    Do you offer patent services?

    All patent services are handled by a group of trusted and licensed patent attorneys that are available on request by the client.

    Do you only serve Illinois residents?
    That is a determination to be made after an initial consultation. US trademark and Copyright law allows drishti law to engage with clients from across the world. We are currently limited to providing services for state law claims that arise only out of Illinois state law.
    How will you keep me informed regarding my matter?
    All updates will be provided through your client portal or email. If needed we can schedule a phone or video call to review any major updates. Key deadlines will be calendared, but our success is dependent on a transparent relationship where both parties meet their respective responsibilities.

    Still have questions?