Intellectual Property Law · European Union
Protect Your Copyright With a Lawyer Who Knows Your Work
Your writing, code, images, music and designs are protected the moment you create them — but proving, licensing and defending those rights is where creators lose out. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted copyright lawyer who handles your kind of work every day.
- Authors, artists, developers & publishers
- Licensing, disputes & takedowns
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
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Who this is for
If you create original work, copyright is the legal foundation of how you earn from it
Copyright is the legal right that protects original creative and intellectual works — books, articles, photographs, software, music, films, designs and more — the moment they are fixed in a tangible form. Unlike a trademark or patent, it generally arises automatically, with no registration required in most European countries. That means writers, designers, musicians, developers and publishers all hold valuable rights from day one, even if they never think about them. The challenge comes later: proving you are the author, controlling who may copy or adapt the work, licensing it fairly, and stopping unauthorised use across borders. We match you with a copyright lawyer who understands your medium, can document your rights properly, and can act when someone copies, uploads or resells your work without permission.
Why creators get short-changed
Having the right is not the same as being able to prove or enforce it.
That gap is where creators lose.
Copyright is automatic, but evidence, licensing and enforcement are not — and by the time you notice an infringement, the work has often spread.
You cannot prove the work is yours
When a dispute arises, the burden falls on you to show you created the work and when. Without dated drafts, files, contracts or a proper record of authorship, an infringement claim can collapse even when you are clearly in the right.
Your work is used without permission
Images, text, music and code get copied, scraped and republished across websites, marketplaces and social platforms. Chasing every instance yourself is exhausting, and a single takedown rarely stops the wider problem.
Licensing terms cost you money
Handshake deals and vague ‘you can use it’ agreements leave revenue on the table. Fair licensing, royalties and reversion of rights need clear written terms — otherwise a client assumes rights you never meant to give away.
What you get
A copyright lawyer who treats your work as an asset
We only match you with lawyers who handle copyright creation, licensing and disputes in your specific medium.
Ownership & evidence
Your lawyer helps you build a clear record of authorship and ownership — contracts, assignments, dated files and registrations where available — so your rights stand up when they are ever tested.
Licensing & royalties
Get properly drafted licences, assignments and collaboration agreements that define who may use the work, for how long, in which territories and for what payment, so you are paid fairly for every use.
Takedowns & enforcement
When your work is copied or uploaded without permission, your lawyer issues the right notices, handles platform takedowns and, where needed, pursues formal infringement action against the responsible party.
Defence & clearance
Accused of copying, or unsure whether you may use someone else’s work? Your lawyer assesses fair dealing, permissions and licences, and defends you against unfounded claims with a clear legal position.
Coverage
Copyright lawyers across Europe
Copyright rules are largely harmonised across the EU, but enforcement, moral rights and licensing practice still differ by country. We match creators and businesses with copyright lawyers in the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Copyright — common questions
Do I need to register my work to have copyright?
In most European countries, no — copyright generally arises automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible form, such as written down or saved. Registration is not usually required to hold the right, though some countries offer optional voluntary registration that can help prove authorship and date.
What kinds of work does copyright protect?
Copyright typically protects original literary, artistic, musical and audiovisual works, as well as software, databases, photographs and architectural designs. It does not protect mere ideas, facts or concepts — only the particular expression of them, so the distinction matters in any dispute.
How long does copyright last?
In most European countries, copyright lasts for the author’s lifetime plus a set number of years after death, commonly 70 years, though the exact figure and the rules for joint or anonymous works vary. After the term expires the work generally enters the public domain.
What should I do if someone copies my work?
Start by gathering clear evidence — screenshots, dates, and any proof of your own authorship. Then have a lawyer assess whether the use actually infringes your rights before sending any notice, as a misjudged claim can backfire or create unnecessary conflict.
Can I use a short quote or image without permission?
Many countries allow limited use for purposes such as quotation, criticism or news reporting, provided it is fair and the source is credited. The rules are fact-specific and vary by country, so it is safest to have a lawyer review the particular use before relying on an exception.
Who owns the copyright in work I commission?
Ownership of commissioned work often depends on the contract and the country — in many cases the creator retains rights unless they are expressly assigned in writing. Clear, written agreements are essential to avoid disputes over who may use, sell or adapt the work later.
Free case review
Your work deserves a lawyer who understands its value
Tell us what you create and what has happened, and we will connect you with a copyright lawyer who handles your kind of work every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.