Currently, disputes over ownership of cartoon characters and fictional characters have become a notable issue, not only abroad but also in Vietnam. These disputes not only affect authors but also the entertainment industry. Therefore, copyright registration for cartoon characters is necessary. So how to register? Please follow the article of VCD below.
1. What genre of work do cartoon characters belong to?
Cartoon characters are characters created through drawing or computer techniques, often appearing in cartoon programs, comics, video games, etc.
Therefore, cartoon characters are creative products, expressed in many different forms, such as in comics, literary works, or cartoons. According to the provisions of Article 14 of the current Law on Intellectual Property, the types of works protected by copyright include:
- Literary, artistic and scientific works:
- Lectures, speeches and other talks.
- Journalistic works.
- Musical works.
- Dramatic works.
- Literary, scientific works, textbooks, teaching materials and other works expressed in the form of writing or other characters.
- Cinematographic works (cinematic works and works created by similar methods).
- Photographic works.
- Works of fine arts and applied arts.
- Architectural works.
- Photographic works.
- Works of folk literature and art.
- Computer programs, data collections.
- Sketches, diagrams, maps, drawings related to topography, architecture, scientific works.
One of the basic conditions for a work to be protected is that it must be directly created by the author through his own intellectual labor, without copying from the work of others.
According to this regulation, cartoon characters are considered a type of applied art work, and therefore are subject to copyright protection.
2. Cartoon character copyright registration application
According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 6 of the current Intellectual Property Law, copyright is automatically protected without registration from the time the work is created and expressed in a certain material form.
However, to ensure your ownership and prevent future disputes, you should carry out copyright registration procedures. The application for copyright registration for cartoon characters includes:
- Copyright registration form: The application must be prepared in Vietnamese and signed by the author, copyright owner or authorized person. The application must include full information about the applicant, author, copyright owner, description of the cartoon character, time, place and form of publication, as well as a commitment to responsibility for the information in the application.
- Two copies of the work: Two copies of the cartoon character work for copyright registration must be provided.
- Power of attorney: If the applicant is an authorized person, a power of attorney is required.
- Documents proving the right to submit the application, if the applicant receives that right from another person through inheritance or transfer.
- Written consent of co-authors, if the work has multiple authors.
- Written consent of co-owners, if the copyright is jointly owned.
3. Processing time for applications for copyright registration for cartoon characters
Within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of a valid application, the state management agency for copyright is responsible for issuing a Certificate of copyright registration. If the agency refuses to issue a Certificate, it must notify the applicant in writing.
However, in practice, the processing time for applications usually lasts about 2 months from the date of submission to the Copyright Office. The reason is that the number of applications is increasing, which affects the processing time of specialists.
Authors, copyright owners, and related rights owners can submit copyright applications themselves or authorize other organizations or individuals to submit copyright applications. VCD – the consulting and support organization in implementing the procedure for copyright registration for cartoon characters at the Copyright Office Our team of specialists and lawyers will help you carry out this process quickly and effectively.
The above is the article “How to register copyright for cartoon characters?” that VCD sent to you. We hope this article is useful to you.
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