Washington Copyright Ownership and Licensing Disputes Attorney
Searching for a Washington copyright attorney to resolve a dispute over copyright ownership or licensing rights? Many copyright conflicts turn not on copying alone, but on who owns the work, what rights were transferred, and whether a particular use falls within the scope of a license or permission. We help clients analyze chain of title, authorship, and license terms to clarify rights and reduce uncertainty before disputes escalate.
Ownership and licensing issues often arise in creative collaborations, employment and contractor relationships, software and content development, publishing, marketing, and online distribution. Ambiguous agreements, informal permissions, or evolving uses can create risk long after a work is created. We assist clients in identifying the controlling documents, evaluating implied or express licenses, and assessing how those rights affect enforcement or defense strategy.
Common ownership and licensing disputes
- Authorship and work-made-for-hire disagreements involving employees or independent contractors
- License scope disputes over duration, territory, media, or permitted uses
- Implied license claims based on course of dealing or industry practice
- Termination and reversion rights affecting continued use of copyrighted works
- Content reuse and repurposing across platforms, products, or marketing channels
How we help
- Ownership and chain-of-title analysis: review contracts, assignments, and creation history to determine who holds enforceable rights.
- License interpretation and risk assessment: evaluate whether a challenged use is authorized and where exposure may exist.
- Dispute prevention and resolution: structure clarifying agreements, amendments, or releases to resolve uncertainty without litigation when possible.
- Enforcement and defense strategy: advise on infringement claims, defenses, and negotiation posture when licensing disputes cannot be resolved informally.
- Fair use integration: assess whether fair use arguments affect leverage or outcomes in ownership and licensing negotiations.
Clear ownership and well-defined licensing rights are often the difference between a manageable business issue and costly litigation. Our focus is on translating complex copyright doctrine into practical guidance that protects your creative assets while supporting your business goals.
Get basic copyright law guidance before scheduling a consultation
If you’re still evaluating your options, try our custom (experimental) RAG copyright chatbot for general, educational information about common copyright issues—such as what qualifies as copyrightable subject matter, how fair use is commonly analyzed, ownership and authorship questions, licensing and permission considerations, and DMCA takedown and counter-notice procedures. When you’re ready to discuss your specific facts, risks, and goals, you can schedule a meeting with Mitchell.
About Mitchell
Mitchell D. West is a litigation attorney with Lowe Graham Jones PLLC, combining expertise in litigation with a deep understanding of Seattle’s startup ecosystem. Mitchell has collaborated with innovative companies in software development, digital assets, decentralized physical infastructure, and legal technology.
Mitchell has represented clients in a range of sophisticated disputes, including trade secret litigation involving silicon-carbon anode technology, patent cases spanning plant varieties to thermoforming products, high-stakes business divorces, and trademark disputes resolved through strategic negotiation. While specializing in litigation, Mitchell also advises emerging technology companies on legal challenges to avoid disputes and ensures they succeed when litigation arises.
As part of his commitment to leveraging technology in legal practice, Mitchell developed Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) chatbots trained on a curated set of legal documents he has developed and relies on in his day-to-day practice.The RAG chatbot is hosted on a hybrid decentralized cloud platform that Mitchell actively contributes to.
Learn more about Mitchell at Lowe Graham Jones PLLC.
Or click here for a summary of Representative Cases.
Education:
- J.D., Washington University School of Law (Washington University in St. Louis)
- B.A., Quantitative Economics and Political Science, Indiana University
Bar Admissions:
- U.S. District Courts: Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
- All Washington State Courts
Memberships:
- Seattle IP Inn of Court
- Seattle Yacht Club
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or are interested in having a custom RAG chatbot developed for your website, you can reach Mitchell directly by email at west@lowegrahamjones.com or using the form below.