The Jassin Office - Publishing Law, Intellectual Property, Entertainment Contracts, Trademark Registration, Branding, and Copyright Law

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Articles

Fair Use in a Nutshell:
A Practical Guide to Fair Use

By Lloyd J. Jassin

“Words must be weighed not counted.”

-- Old Yiddish proverb

Unfortunately, many creative projects are stillborn or abandoned, because the author, or the author's producer or publisher partner, was intimidated by the subject of “fair use.” This uncertainty is regrettable, since, under many conditions, fair use allows you to copy, display and publish copyrighted works without payment or permission. While not a substitute for legal advice, this article provides guidelines that will and help you to avoid potential problems and allow you take full advantage of the fair use doctrine...More

Negotiating Collaboration Agreements

How to Avoid Common Business and Legal Mistakes

By Lloyd J. Jassin

In today's popular culture we see a steady stream of articles, books,plays, screenplays and otherworks being written collaboratively. In this article I outline how to structure collaboration and ghostwriter agreements. As you will read, it is critically important for authors, agents, and publishers, to understand the basic terms and strategic variables that arise when two (or more) authors work together... More

Featured Articles

Trademark Law & Book Titles

How to Use Trademark Law to Create Multiple Passive Income Streams & Avert Legal Battles

By Lloyd J. Jassin

A great title can contribute tremendously to a book’s success. It can also create opportunities for multiple passive income streams from licensing the sale of book-related merchandise and paraphernalia.

In this article, I will share with you valuable tips on how to determine the availability of a title, secure its ownership, develop valuable licensing streams from it, and protect against its unauthorized use by intellectual property pirates... More

What NOT To Miss When Drafting & Negotiating Your Book Publishing Contract

By Lloyd J. Jassin

Drafting and negotiating contracts is viewed by some publishers as wasteful and time consuming....While it is difficult to see how your publishing agreement will play out in the long term, the decisions you make today could have profound, long term consequences... More

About The Law Firm

The Law Offices of Lloyd J. Jassin provides a full range of legal services on book publishing, entertainment, copyright, trademark, licensing, internet and corporate law matters.
Call us at 212-354-4442.
Or e-mail attorney Jassin at Jassin@copylaw.com.

Trade Book Publishing Checklist

I - General Provisions

Name/address of parties
Description of work (synopsis)
-Tentative title, no. of words, illos, intended audience, fiction, non-fiction, etc.

II - Grant of Rights and Territory

"All rights" or license?
Term or time period (i.e., usually the life of the copyright)
Geographic scope
- The world?
- Limited (e.g., U.S., its possessions and Canada) More

TIP: Keep in mind that both identical and confusingly similar marks for related goods and service may be entitled to trademark protection, and that a trademark owner need not register their mark federally to enjoy trademark protection.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is not intended as legal advice. Because the law is not static, and one situation may differ from the next, we cannot assume responsibility for any actions taken based on information contained herein. Also, be aware that the law may vary from state. Therefore, this website cannot replace the advice of an experienced attorney. Receipt of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Law Offices of Lloyd J. Jassin
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212-354-4442 (t)
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Co-author of The Copyright Permission & Libel Handbook (John Wiley & Sons)

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