Stop Thieves from Stealing Your Creativity

Your Art. Your Ideas. Your Rights.

New York has always been a hub for creativity. Whether you're an artist in SoHo, a filmmaker in Brooklyn, or a fashion designer in the Garment District, your work is valuable. But in a fast-paced, competitive landscape, "protecting that work" isn’t just important—it’s essential. Intellectual property laws ensure your ideas, designs, and creations remain yours. Without proper legal protections, others can copy, distribute, or profit from your work without your permission. That’s where intellectual property law comes in.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our entertainment lawyers understand how much time and effort you’ve put into your craft. Our legal team has helped countless creatives in New York safeguard their intellectual property rights. Whether you need to register a copyright, respond to infringement, or ensure you retain full ownership of your work, we’re here to help.

Copyright: The Legal Armor Your Work Needs

Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including music, films, literature, visual arts, and even software. In New York, where the creative industries thrive, copyright registration provides the legal foundation to enforce your rights. While copyright exists the moment you create something original, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your ability to take legal action against infringers.

Benefits of copyright registration include:

• Public record of ownership – Provides legal evidence that you created the work.
• Ability to sue for infringement – Unregistered works lack the same legal leverage in court.
• Potential for statutory damages – If infringement occurs, registered works qualify for damages up to $150,000 per violation.

If you discover someone using your work without permission, enforcement becomes the next critical step. Enforcement options include cease-and-desist letters, Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA takedown notices), and formal lawsuits. For creatives in New York, where content spreads quickly, immediate action can make the difference between protecting your revenue and losing control over your work.

Stolen Work? Fight Back & Take Control

Infringement claims are stressful, whether you’re the creator protecting your work or facing accusations of copying someone else’s. If you find your work being used without consent, you have legal options to stop it and seek damages. On the other hand, if you're accused of infringement, understanding fair use, licensing agreements, and copyright exceptions is crucial.

Common scenarios involving infringement include:

• Unauthorized use of music, photos, or videos – Particularly common on social media and in advertising.
• Design or fashion replication – A major issue in New York’s fashion industry.
• Misuse of written content – Including books, articles, and scripts used without permission.

When dealing with infringement claims, evidence is key. Document when and where the violation occurred, and seek legal advice to determine the best course of action. The right strategy can mean the difference between costly legal battles and swift resolution.

Keep Your Name on Your Work—No Exceptions

Ownership rights can get complicated, especially when working with collaborators, publishers, or production companies. Many creatives unknowingly sign away their rights through contracts, work-for-hire agreements, or licensing deals that favor the other party. Without clear terms in place, you could lose control over how your work is used—or even who profits from it.

To maintain ownership:

• Review contracts carefully – Never sign anything without understanding the long-term implications.
• Clarify work-for-hire terms – If hired for a project, specify whether you retain any rights.
• Use licensing agreements wisely – Ensure agreements specify how, where, and for how long others can use your work.

Protecting your creative rights requires vigilance. Whether you’re licensing a song, selling a design, or publishing a book, make sure your legal rights remain intact. In a city as dynamic as New York, staying informed and proactive can mean the difference between owning your future and watching someone else profit from your hard work.

The Digital Age: A New Battlefield for Creatives

Your work isn’t just at risk in galleries, studios, or production houses—it’s under threat every second it exists online. Social media, streaming platforms, and AI-generated content have made protecting intellectual property more complicated than ever. A single repost, unauthorized remix, or AI replication can dilute your rights, yet many creatives don’t realize the dangers until it’s too late.

Key threats in the digital landscape include:

• Unauthorized reposts and edits – Others using your work without credit or permission.
• AI scraping and replication – Machine learning models absorbing your content and generating derivative works.
• Piracy and mass distribution – Your work being freely distributed without your control.

To combat these risks, creatives must embrace modern protections. Digital watermarks, licensing agreements with specific online provisions, and proactive copyright enforcement are more important than ever. The legal landscape is evolving, and staying ahead of the game is crucial to maintaining control over your work in the digital space.

Protect Your Work with Horn Wright, LLP

Your creativity is worth protecting. At Horn Wright, LLP, we help artists, designers, and content creators in New York secure their intellectual property rights. Whether you need to register a copyright, enforce ownership, or defend against infringement claims, our experienced team is ready to assist. Don't let legal issues hold you back—contact us today to protect what’s yours.

When it comes to safeguarding your creative legacy, experience matters. Horn Wright, LLP has spent years helping New York’s brightest minds secure their rights and fight back against intellectual property theft. Don’t wait until it’s too late—reach out to our team today and take the first step toward protecting what’s rightfully yours.