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How Do I Gift My Copyright

How Do I Gift My Copyright

by Kelley Way | Apr 1, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Estate Planning, Intellectual Property

Making Copyright Bequests Let’s say you have written and published a book. Congratulations! Then you realize that you actually have to market the book to get people to buy it, and suddenly, it’s not so fun anymore. Or perhaps you’re happy with the...
How to Deal With Fanfiction

How to Deal With Fanfiction

by Kelley Way | Mar 5, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property

I was presented with an interesting question a while back when an author had to deal with fanfiction. A writer was successful enough to have a fanbase, who would sometimes send her fanfiction they wrote based on her novels. At one point, a fan sent her some fanfiction...
What is Intellectual Property?

What is Intellectual Property?

by Kelley Way | Feb 5, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trademarks

I throw the term “intellectual property” around quite a bit, but non-lawyers may not be quite as familiar with the term. Let me explain what intellectual property is and the four main types of intellectual property. “Intellectual property” refers to creations of the...
What is the Public Domain?

What is the Public Domain?

by Kelley Way | Jan 1, 2024 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trademarks

Happy Public Domain Day! As of today, everything published in 1928 enters the public domain and is free for anyone to use. The most famous work to enter the public domain this year is probably Steamboat Willie, the Disney film introducing Mickey and Minnie Mouse to...
How and When to Transfer a Copyright

How and When to Transfer a Copyright

by Kelley Way | Nov 6, 2023 | Copyrights, Intellectual Property

A copyright transfer can take many forms. It can be gifted, assigned, sold… basically, a copyright transfer happens anytime the copyright changes hands, whether or not money was involved. (Side note: a copyright license is not a transfer, because you are giving...
What Happens to My Royalties After I Die?

What Happens to My Royalties After I Die?

by Kelley Way | Nov 6, 2023 | Authors and Writing, Copyrights, Intellectual Property

Ongoing royalty revenues are the dream of every author, musician, and movie director. And those royalty revenues are even sweeter if you don’t have to put any effort into marketing the work yourself. But if this dream is achieved, it also creates a problem for the...
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Blog Post Archives

Recent Blog Posts

  • Recent Estate Planning Horror Stories
  • What Happens to My Copyright When I Sign a Publishing Contract?
  • Do I Need a New Trust After I Get Married?
  • Copyright vs. Trademark (What’s the Difference?)
  • 3 More Copyright Myths You Should Know
  • How Can I Disinherit My Kid?
  • Will My Child’s Inheritance Cost Them Their Disability Benefits?
  • Should I Register A Trademark On My Book Title?
  • When Can I Use Quotes in My Book?
  • Does My 18-Year-Old Need An Estate Plan?
  • What Do I Do With Firearms in an Estate?
  • 3 Copyright Myths
  • How Do I Transfer Rights to My Kindle Direct Publishing Account After My Death?
  • Do I Really Need a Lawyer to Draft My Estate Plan?
  • Can AI Content Be Copyrighted?
  • How to Pass Property to Kids
  • Do I Need to Register My Copyright?
  • How to Transfer Real Property Without a Probate
  • When Do Copyrights Expire?
  • How Should I Hold Title to My House?

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About

Kelley Way is a California attorney practicing estate planning, copyright, and trademark law. She helps her clients

  • Protect their assets from infringers, avoidable litigation, and unnecessary taxes;
  • Provide for their loved ones during and after their lifetime; and
  • Make solid plans for a secure future.

To learn more about how Kelley can help you, please contact her to schedule an appointment.

Office Hours

 Monday – Friday

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Office is closed during National Holidays

Phone: (925) 357-8845
Fax: (925) 357-8846
kaway@kawaylaw.com

150 N. Wiget Lane #210
Walnut Creek, CA 94598

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Recent Posts

Recent Estate Planning Horror Stories

Halloween is around the corner, and what better time is there to go over celebrity estate plans gone wrong? So, grab your popcorn and sit back for a lesson on how some recently departed celebrities...
Read More

What Happens to My Copyright When I Sign a Publishing Contract?

You’ve been offered a publishing contract – congratulations! But then the doubt creeps in. Is this really a good idea? What if they decide they don’t like me? What if they decide they don’t like my...
Read More

Copyright vs. Trademark (What’s the Difference?)

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to copyrights vs. trademarks. I’ll have prospects say they want a trademark when they actually mean a copyright. Or they want a copyright, and it becomes...
Read More

Do I Need a New Trust After I Get Married?

Most people know that they need a new trust after a divorce. But what happens when they get married? Do they need to create a new one if they already have a trust? Let's dive into the question: Do I...
Read More

How Can I Disinherit My Kid?

Cutting someone out of your estate plan is a difficult but sometimes necessary decision. Not every family is happy, and not every child deserves an inheritance. Once you realize you need to...
Read More

3 More Copyright Myths You Should Know

My previous article on copyright myths proved to be a hit, so I’m following it up with three more myths related to copyright: If it’s online, it’s free to use This myth is pervasive. It’s so easy to...
Read More

Should I Register A Trademark On My Book Title?

There are many ways authors can use trademark law to protect their brand. Registering a trademark on their book title is usually the first application authors consider. So, is trademarking your book...
Read More

Will My Child’s Inheritance Cost Them Their Disability Benefits?

Government disability benefits are wonderful, but they have some significant drawbacks. One of the big ones is that they are needs-based, i.e., the recipient needs to be just shy of broke to qualify...
Read More

When Can I Use Quotes in My Book?

Let’s face it, we all love using quotes in our writing. Not only does it save us the trouble of coming up with our own words, but it’s also fun to insert some famous lines, and sometimes there’s...
Read More

Does My 18-Year-Old Need An Estate Plan?

It’s graduation season, and 18-year-olds everywhere are celebrating their newfound freedom as young adults. Since they believe they’re invincible, they likely haven’t given any thought to their...
Read More
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