There are many types of intellectual property, and if you have created something that is unique, for example, a poem, a photo or a painting, you are automatically protected under copyright law. In addition, it is possible for organizations to protect their exclusive use of singular words, symbols and phrases by establishing a trademark.
If you believe that your intellectual property has been infringed upon by another person or business, it is important that you take this very seriously. You should first take the time to understand the ways in which the law protects you.
How should I react to intellectual property theft?
If you believe that your work has been subject to copyright infringement, the first thing you should do is send a request to stop the infringement. You may require legal assistance to send a cease and desist letter to the entity that has infringed your copyright.
Can I take legal action if my work is not registered?
Copyright protection is automatic for an original work of authorship. However, it is mandatory that you hold a valid copyright on the piece of work in question in order to pursue legal action on copyright infringement. Therefore, if you have authored a novel or created any work that is at risk of intellectual property theft, it is a good idea to establish a copyright as a precautionary measure.
If you are suffering as a result of intellectual property theft, it is important that you take swift action, because you could be entitled to compensatory damages under the law.
