From copyright Advisory service to Copyright strategy
what we do.
For over 30 years © HERE has gathered considerable experience and knowledge of all aspects of Intellectual Property, with specific attention to copyright. Although I am not a solicitor and cannot give binding legal advice, I can inform and educate you and your colleagues, in a simple, plain English and entertaining manner. I can supply information on a wide variety of the building blocks of a comprehensive approach to copyright for all types of organisations from sole traders to large companies, educational establishments, local authority and voluntary organisations. These building blocks are:
1.
Copyright Advisory service
- Text
- Music
- Images
- Video
- Broadcasts
- Social Media
- Web Sites
- Licensing
2.
Copyright Awareness Raising
- Individuals
- Business networks
- Voluntary organisations
- Schools and Colleges
- Training companies
- Consultants
3.
Copyright Presentations
- In person
- Online (Zoom, Teams etc)
- General copyright
- Specific copyright issues
4.
Copyright Guidelines
- Custom written
- Business wide
- Sector wide
- Organisation wide
5.
Copyright Policy
- Organisational systems and procedures
- Engaging with third parties
- Dealing with licensing agencies
- Ownership of copyright
- Solutions to problems
- Responsibilities
6.
Copyright Strategy
- Risks
- Mitigation
- Education
- Use of third party content
- Protection of the organisation’s own content
- Confidential information
1.
COPYRIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE
These services are available by phone, e-mail, Zoom, Teams and text message (WhatsApp, Messenger) and are intended to help you understand what you can do with content belonging to other people.
If you create content, you could be producing your own original works, or you might want to access the works of others – or it could be a combination of original and third party content. To use other people’s works:
- Do you need permission?
- Do you need a licence?
- Are there ways of using the content without either direct permission or licence?
And if you are the creator of original work, what do you do to protect your content from being used by others without your permission? Remember that the use of third party content works both ways, and the creative industries:
- How do you deal with the fact that there is no government copyright registration scheme (when there are schemes for patents, trademarks and designs)?
- How can you protect your work?
- Do you want to deal with every individual request or should you consider licensing your work through a Collective Management Organisation such as the Copyright Licensing Agency, NLA Media Access, Educational Recording Agency, PRS for Music and Phonographic Performance Limited?
The advisory service covers all aspects of the following copyright works and platforms :
- Text
- Music
- Images
- Video
- Broadcasts
- Social Media
- Web Sites
- Licensing
2.
Copyright Awareness Raising
What kind of work do you do? What interests do you have? Do you know how much impact copyright has on your work, your hobbies, your passions?
Almost every company, business and industry sector relies, whether they know it or not, on Intellectual Property, the umbrella description covering Copyright, Patents, Designs, Trademarks, Confidential Information and Know How.
Manufacturing industries may want to protect their methods of production, their ingredient lists, their formulas (recipes!), their coding of software, their designs, their future plans. Some of that can be covered by legal instruments such as patents, copyright and designs, the rest of it they may wish to keep secret – but how?
Just as organisations raise awareness of health and safety, employment law, diversity, disability, contract law, property law and all the other myriad aspects of the legal landscape, do they do the same for Intellectual Property?
If an organisation infringes third party content, or fails to protect its own intellectual assets, there is a strong possibility of both financial and reputational damage. These unwanted incidents can be mitigated by education and training.
© HERE can educate and train individuals and organisations about Intellectual Property in simple, engaging and entertaining ways. Raising awareness can develop creativity and an understanding of the whole IP structure, benefitting the following:
- Individuals
- Business networks
- Voluntary organisations
- Schools and Colleges
- Training companies
- Consultants
3.
Copyright Presentations
© HERE has a comprehensive selection of presentations for all aspects of copyright.
From a general introduction to detailed examinations and discussions of technical points – all is possible. I am also very happy to create a presentation specifically designed for and tailored to the requirements of each client.
The presentations are all fully illustrated and if required can be accompanied by notes. Subject to agreement, they can be licensed to the organisation for future use, perhaps through their intranet.
I am more than happy to travel to deliver a presentation as part of a seminar or workshop.
- In person
- Online (Zoom, MS Teams)
- General copyright
- Specific copyright issues
4.
Copyright Policy
All organisations that deal, in any way, with Intellectual Property, should have a policy for both strategic and operational purposes.
While attention is often given to legislative obligations such as Health and Safety, Employment, Diversity and Disability, Intellectual Property, including copyright, is just as often ignored.
That could be a risky strategy because infringements of Intellectual Property can be dealt with both in civil and criminal courts with substantial damages to both finance and reputation if the infringement is proved
© HERE can write copyright policies that will include the following aspects. Disregard a policy at your risk – the penalties can be severe
- Organisational systems and procedures
- Engaging with third parties
- Dealing with licensing agencies
- Ownership of copyright
- Solutions to problems
- Risks and mitigation
- Responsibilities
5.
Copyright Guidelines
Policies can help with the management and operation of any organisation, but it would be unusual if there weren’t questions and issues about the application and interpretation of those policies.
To help organisations implement a copyright policy, © HERE can also provide a service preparing generic or tailored guidelines, for reference, for training, for evidence that the owners/managers take copyright seriously and can understand the part it plays in the economy, ensuring that content is rewarded and protected.
- Custom written
- Business wide
- Sector wide
- Organisation wide
6.
Copyright Strategy
What does the future bring?
What do organisations learn as they operate and develop their business?
What mistakes have been made?
What opportunities have been missed?
What potential revenue has been lost?
What sums of money have been wasted?
Will you pay more attention to the content of third parties?
Will you decide to create and protect more of your own content?
Can you see that Intellectual Property is an asset for a business?
Can you see that Intellectual Property can create innovative revenue streams?
The answers to these questions help you formulate a strategy for your organisation. Strategic thinking can take account of competition, markets, share and currency fluctuations, proposed legislation in the countries where the organisation operates. Your strategy should also include your approach to Intellectual Property, giving consideration to the following topics:
- Risks
- Mitigation
- Education
- Use of third party content
- Protection of the organisation’s own content
- Confidential information
Workshop
Workshop
Our copyright workshops are informal and entertaining
Copyright workshops organised by © HERE are informal and entertaining. They are full of relevant copyright examples and always prompt very good discussion.
The topic can be any aspect of copyright tailored to the client or they can be general copyright issues, set to prompt questioning and discussion.
Some of the workshops have a quiz at some stage, designed to start a discussion or to determine the level of prior knowledge of the participants. There’s even a “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” quiz, always guaranteed to raise the level of enjoyment.
Popular workshop topics are: The ownership of copyright, Copyright and social media, Copyright and legislated exceptions (more fun than it sounds!), How to stay out of jail, Why copyright is important – to everyone!
Workshops usually last an hour, with 8 – 12 participants being a recommended number.