‘Angry Birds’ designs subject of intellectual property lawsuit

When it comes to the need to keep works of intellectual property protected from infringement, works created by graphic artists are no exception. In the event that an artist's work is stolen or used without obtaining the necessary legal permissions, a lawsuit could follow.

It was recently reported that the creator of "Angry Birds" toys designs has sued the company she made them for. The artist, Juli Adams, says she came up with the designs in 2006, and that Hartz Mountain Company, a maker of pet supplies, sold the designs to the company that created the popular "Angry Birds" video game, according to an article from CNBC.

According to the article, the lawsuit claims that Hartz Mountain Company violated the terms of the licensing agreement it had with Adams. Adams claims the company profited off of her intellectual property, and she is seeking to have it returned. It was also reported that Adams' designs never should have been transferred. Adams is seeing to obtain royalties she believes she should be owed for her work. 

If there had not been a licensing agreement in place, the artist might not have been properly equipped to back up the claim that her works had been used illegally. Whether or not she will emerge victorious in this case remains to be seen, but it highlights the important step that all businesses need to take—protecting works from the possibility of infringement and theft. 

This story has lessons for business people on both sides of the deal. Whether you've created intellectual property or are planning to use someone else's, a small business attorney can provide you with the expert legal counsel you need to keep your work safe, and safeguard your business from a potential lawsuit. Contact a Phoenix, AZ small business attorney to learn more. 

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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