How is a copyright different from a trademark?

A Copyright protects original works of authorship (the “expression”), such as software code, videos, and music. A Trademark protects brand identifiers like names, slogans, and logos that distinguish the source of goods or services in the marketplace.

Can I copyright my website or domain name?

You can copyright the content of your website (original text, custom graphics, and proprietary code), but you cannot copyright a domain name. Domain names are primarily protected under Trademark law or managed via ICANN’s dispute resolution processes.

When is my copyright protected?

A copyright is legally protected the moment it is “fixed” in a tangible medium (written down, recorded, or saved to a digital drive). However, you cannot initiate an infringement lawsuit in federal court or collect statutory damages without a formal federal registration.

Do I need a written agreement for freelancers?

Yes. Under the “Statute of Frauds,” most copyright transfers in the United States must be in writing. Without a robust “Work Made for Hire” agreement, an independent contractor or freelancer may legally retain the copyright to the work you paid them to create.

Can I copyright a prompt I used to generate an AI image?

No. 2026 USPTO and Copyright Office guidelines clarify that “prompts” are considered ideas or instructions, not expressive authorship. While you own the specific text of your prompt, you do not own the resulting AI output unless you have provided “significant human creativity” or material modification to the final work.

Does my startup own the code written by an outside agency?

Not automatically. Unless your contract explicitly includes “Work Made for Hire” language and a “Present Assignment” of rights, the agency may technically retain ownership. Our expertise includes auditing development agreements to ensure your company maintains full control of its core IP.

How do I protect my brand from "Deepfakes"?

This is governed by 2026 Federal and California Digital Replica laws. While copyright protects the original media, the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness or voice is protected under the Right of Publicity. we provide strategic “takedown” and enforcement solutions for unauthorized synthetic content.

How is a copyright different from a trademark?

A Copyright protects original works of authorship (the “expression”), such as software code, videos, and music. A Trademark protects brand identifiers like names, slogans, and logos that distinguish the source of goods or services in the marketplace.

Can I copyright my website or domain name?

You can copyright the content of your website (original text, custom graphics, and proprietary code), but you cannot copyright a domain name. Domain names are primarily protected under Trademark law or managed via ICANN’s dispute resolution processes.

When is my copyright protected?

A copyright is legally protected the moment it is “fixed” in a tangible medium (written down, recorded, or saved to a digital drive). However, you cannot initiate an infringement lawsuit in federal court or collect statutory damages without a formal federal registration.

Do I need a written agreement for freelancers?

Yes. Under the “Statute of Frauds,” most copyright transfers in the United States must be in writing. Without a robust “Work Made for Hire” agreement, an independent contractor or freelancer may legally retain the copyright to the work you paid them to create.

Can I copyright a prompt I used to generate an AI image?

No. 2026 USPTO and Copyright Office guidelines clarify that “prompts” are considered ideas or instructions, not expressive authorship. While you own the specific text of your prompt, you do not own the resulting AI output unless you have provided “significant human creativity” or material modification to the final work.

Does my startup own the code written by an outside agency?

Not automatically. Unless your contract explicitly includes “Work Made for Hire” language and a “Present Assignment” of rights, the agency may technically retain ownership. Our expertise includes auditing development agreements to ensure your company maintains full control of its core IP.

How do I protect my brand from "Deepfakes"?

This is governed by 2026 Federal and California Digital Replica laws. While copyright protects the original media, the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness or voice is protected under the Right of Publicity. we provide strategic “takedown” and enforcement solutions for unauthorized synthetic content.

How is a copyright different from a trademark?

A Copyright protects original works of authorship (the “expression”), such as software code, videos, and music. A Trademark protects brand identifiers like names, slogans, and logos that distinguish the source of goods or services in the marketplace.

Can I copyright my website or domain name?

You can copyright the content of your website (original text, custom graphics, and proprietary code), but you cannot copyright a domain name. Domain names are primarily protected under Trademark law or managed via ICANN’s dispute resolution processes.

When is my copyright protected?

A copyright is legally protected the moment it is “fixed” in a tangible medium (written down, recorded, or saved to a digital drive). However, you cannot initiate an infringement lawsuit in federal court or collect statutory damages without a formal federal registration.

Do I need a written agreement for freelancers?

Yes. Under the “Statute of Frauds,” most copyright transfers in the United States must be in writing. Without a robust “Work Made for Hire” agreement, an independent contractor or freelancer may legally retain the copyright to the work you paid them to create.

Can I copyright a prompt I used to generate an AI image?

No. 2026 USPTO and Copyright Office guidelines clarify that “prompts” are considered ideas or instructions, not expressive authorship. While you own the specific text of your prompt, you do not own the resulting AI output unless you have provided “significant human creativity” or material modification to the final work.

Does my startup own the code written by an outside agency?

Not automatically. Unless your contract explicitly includes “Work Made for Hire” language and a “Present Assignment” of rights, the agency may technically retain ownership. Our expertise includes auditing development agreements to ensure your company maintains full control of its core IP.

How do I protect my brand from "Deepfakes"?

This is governed by 2026 Federal and California Digital Replica laws. While copyright protects the original media, the unauthorized use of a person’s likeness or voice is protected under the Right of Publicity. we provide strategic “takedown” and enforcement solutions for unauthorized synthetic content.

Legal & Business Affairs

Optimized for innovation®

CONSULTING. LITIGATION. TRANSACTIONS. TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED SINCE 2007.

Consulting

Strategic consulting for technology founders and M&A deal teams.

LITIGATION

Battle-tested strategic litigation counsel for business, IP, and trademark disputes.

TRANSACTIONS

Contracts and IP protection of brands, software, and proprietary content.

Tech/IP Consultation
Complex Litigation
Contract Negotiation

"Top 30 Most Influential Attorneys in Digital Media and E-Commerce"
- Los Angeles Business Journal

FEATURED IN

Principal Attorney

David Nima Sharifi Esq.

David Nima Sharifi is a licensed California tech startup lawyer, business consultant, and former Investment Committee Member at Westwood Ventures, a micro-fund of AVG which deploys upwards of $300 million per year alongside top lead investors in hard-to-access deals.

David is a respected technology leader with a distinguished track record for delivering winning strategies to organizations on critical issues across the full transaction and innovation cycle, including targeting, due diligence, revenue growth, product differentiation, portfolio valuation, market analysis, and competitive barrier strategy. David has been recognized as among the Top 30 Most Influential Digital Media and E-Commerce Law Firm Attorneys and has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal and other mainstream media as an expert in the legal and business affairs of tech innovation. Attorney Profile.

CONSULTING

Strategic consulting for technology founders and deal teams navigating growth, transactions, and digital infrastructure. We identify risk, map value drivers, and deliver sophisticated consultation across product, IP, data, brand, and distribution that move the needle on enterprise value.

CONSULTING SERVICES

LITIGATION

Battle-tested strategic litigation counsel for business and trademark disputes. We evaluate risk, develop leverage, and pursue results through early resolution, motion practice, and trial-ready case strategy in California and the USPTO Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).

LITIGATION PRACTICE AREAS

TRANSACTIONS

Commercial agreements and IP structuring for companies that monetize brands, software, content, and distribution.

Designed for licensing and M&A readiness.

Trademark registration, copyright licensing, media agreements, and corporate deal support.

We consult on ownership structure, draft and negotiate technology agreements, and protect IP rights to reduce risk and preserve asset value.

TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE AREAS

Our Clients

Our clients are innovators, developers, and investors in various sub-sectors of the mobile technology ecosystem, including:

Mobile application developers and publishers
Manufacturers of consumer products and hardware devices
Retailers, wholesalers, digital distribution networks
Technology-based startups, mobile applications, social networks, SaaS products, and others.
Executive Producers, Chief Marketing Officers, and creative professionals
Inventors and Entrepreneurs
Digital Health Startups
Manufacturers and designers in wearable technology.
Artificial Intelligence Startups

Startup legal structure, L.A. Tech and media law firm, Los Angeles Startup Attorney, California technology law firm, Irvine business lawyer

Blog

Why Startup Legal Structure Matters on Day One

Blog

Healthcare Startup Due Diligence: What Founders Must Do in the First 100 Days

Blog

Why Every Startup Founder Needs an IP Checklist Before Fundraising

Blog

California Non-Solicitation Enforceability

Blog

Can You Get a Federal Trademark for a Marijuana Brand in 2026?

Startup contract lawyer, L.A. Tech and Media Law Firm, California Contract Attorney, Irvine Startup Lawyer, Los Angeles, Tech Law Firm, Ventura Technology Attorney

Blog

Startup Contract Lawyer: Drafting & Negotiating Deals That Protect Founders

Sophisticated legal counsel in the areas of entertainment law, trademark registration, intellectual property protection, publishing, advertising law, and technology startups throughout the United States.

We handle transactions of all sizes with a consistent level of attention to detail, client-service, efficiency, deep understanding of clients’ business affairs, and the highest professional and ethical standards. The firm routinely advises clients in matters relating to:

Trademark registrations, prosecution and defense;
Intellectual property protection and exploitation consultation in technology and mobile publishing;
Copyright clearance and licensing;
Entity formation and corporate transactions;
Licensing and IP monetization;
Entertainment legal services, production clearance;
Contracts related to digital marketing and advertising transactions.
Personal and professional services agreements;
Manufacturing and licensing agreements for physical goods.

Legal & Business Affairs

Optimized for innovation®

CONSULTING. LITIGATION. TRANSACTIONS. TECHNOLOGY FOCUSED SINCE 2007.

Consulting

LITIGATION

TRANSACTIONS

Tech/IP Consultation
Complex Litigation
Contract Negotiation

"Top 30 Most Influential Attorneys in Digital Media and E-Commerce"
- Los Angeles Business Journal