by Kelley Way | Feb 3, 2025 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property
When I present on copyright issues during my speaking engagements, I am frequently asked about copyright registration and whether they need to register their copyright. The truth is, you technically don’t have to (but finish this article to see how not filing could...
by Kelley Way | Jan 6, 2025 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property
With all the copyrighted works of 1929 entering the public domain as of January 1, it’s a good time to ask how copyrights work, and when do copyrights expire. Yes, all copyrighted works will expire at some point. The U.S. Constitution specifically says that creative...
by Kelley Way | Dec 2, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property, Trademarks
Once again, the year has gone by too quickly. With the arrival of December comes my annual post listing the top blog articles for 2024. Peruse, enjoy, and, of course, have a happy holiday season! Can I Write About a Real Person in My Book? –...
by Kelley Way | Nov 4, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property
Getting a contract from a publisher is exciting, especially for an unpublished author. However, some misconceptions about how these contracts work can lead to bitterness or regret later on. Here are some common myths people have about publishing contracts. You...
by Kelley Way | Sep 2, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property
You have a contract from a publisher – congratulations! It’s extremely tempting to just sign your name and send it back immediately, but before you do that, it’s essential to read the contract and know what you’re signing first. Many of my author clients have come to...
by Kelley Way | Jul 1, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property
A client recently asked me about literary executors and whether she needed one for her estate. Let’s review what a literary executor is and when appointing one would be a good idea. First, let’s talk about executors generally. “Executor” is the person you put in...
