Author Tips

Welcome to Perry Law’s IP law blog, where you will find all the latest developments, cases, and headlines concerning publishing law. Please be advised that the information contained in the articles are for information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Parties seeking legal advice should consult with legal counsel familiar with their particular circumstances.

Can You Copyright or Trademark Book Titles?

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Aug 5
2 min

Can You Copyright or Trademark Book Titles?

Under the US Copyright Act, you cannot copyright titles. That is because titles are too short to be protected. Copyright law protects...

19 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jul 31
5 min

Can You Copyright Your Characters?

The short answer is yes, but like most things in the law, what you need to do to make your characters copyrightable is more complicated...

20 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jul 28
2 min

What is a Publishing Attorney?

I get this question a lot. It usually comes in the context of whether someone should get an agent or an attorney. While an agent (which...

53 views0 comments

5 Tips Before Signing Your Book Editor Agreement

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Mar 6
1 min

5 Tips Before Signing Your Book Editor Agreement

Authors, have you thought about having an editor review your manuscript? Here are a few things to think about before signing: The scope...

30 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Dec 13, 2021
2 min

They Stole My Book Idea! Can I Sue?

Under US Copyright law, you cannot sue if someone stole your idea. Copyright law does not protect ideas. It only protects the expression...

42 views0 comments

How to Revert Your Rights in Your Book Contract (And The Considerations to Think About)

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Aug 10, 2021
2 min

How to Revert Your Rights in Your Book Contract (And The Considerations to Think About)

Let's assume you're not happy with your publisher and you want to revert some or all of your rights. What can you do? The first thing is...

26 views0 comments

What's The Difference Between Grant of Rights and Assignments in a Book Contract?

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Aug 9, 2021
2 min

What's The Difference Between Grant of Rights and Assignments in a Book Contract?

When you receive your book contract, 99.9% of the time you will see a "grant of rights" section. What does that mean? Do you own your...

28 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jul 21, 2021
2 min

Tips on Negotiating Your Book Advance

The question on most writers' minds is the advance. Who can blame them? It's what authors see in the news all the time. For instance,...

51 views0 comments

Legal Issues to Avoid When Writing Your Memoir

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jul 2, 2021
3 min

Legal Issues to Avoid When Writing Your Memoir

When you sit down to write your memoir, there are some legal issues that you need to be cognizant of, such as defamation, invasion of...

83 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jun 29, 2021
2 min

Using Song Lyrics in Books

Song lyrics are copyrighted, and music publishers are notorious for being litigious. With that in mind, there are a few things you can do...

70 views0 comments

Joseph Perry, Esq.

Jun 28, 2021
1 min

Can I Use Brands in My Novel?

The short answer is yes. Just be careful not to violate trademark laws or defame any companies. Below is a very short introduction to try...

64 views0 comments