Welcome!

My Los Angeles law office serves successful small businesses, entrepreneurs and creatives.

Trademarks and Copyrights Learn about my services and the fundamentals of trademarks and copyrights.

Business Formation Learn about my approach and the added benefits of forming a corporation, LLC, or partnership.

Business Contracts and Business Law Read about the value of clear business contracts that protect your interests.

Entertainment Law, Music Law and Fashion Law See why it’s useful to hire a good attorney with experience in entertainment law, music law and fashion law.

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My clients include Entrepreneurs, Production Companies, Writers, Designers, Artists, Creators, Actors, Retailers, Web Developers, Consultants, Producers and Production Companies and other Premier Small Businesses located in and outside of Los Angeles.

I graduated from Stanford University  with my M.A. and B.A. in English and from UCLA School of Law with my J.D. and opened my own law firm in Los Angeles after working as an entertainment and music law attorney at Manatt, Phelps, and Phillips, LLP (a top California law firm), as an in-house attorney handling contracts and business affairs at BCBG (a major fashion company), and as an in-house attorney at Palan Music (an international music publishing company which has since merged with MCS). See my bio for details.

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Legal Tips

November Tip 1 2024: The law concerning music, recording artists and record producers can be very confusing. Retaining ownership of master recordings adn musical compositions can be of the utmost importance to a recording artist. This is why it may be a  good idea to engage the services of a music lawyer who understands copyright ownership issues, music publishing, music royalties, affiliating with ASCAP and BMI and master use and sync licenses. For more, see “What Do Music Lawyers Do?”

October Tip 2 2024: Many people call me wanting to protect a brand name and wonder why trademark registration is a good idea. A registered trademark can give the trademark owner the right to exclude others from using a confusingly similar brand name. It may also become a potentially valuable business asset in the form of intellectual property.  For more, see “What is a Trademark?”

October Tip 1 2024: Starting a fashion brand can be challenging, from ordering products from vendors to nailing down brand name protection. So, it’s generally a good idea to hire a fashion lawyer who is familiar with fashion law issues—branding, copyright protection, trade dress, trade secrets, business law, employment law and import/export law.  For more, see “What Do Fashion Lawyers Do?”

September Tip 2 2024: Many people call me to ask if they have a good legal case. If you want to sue someone, you generally need a litigator. There are litigators who sue and defend people in court and handle cases, and there are transactional attorneys like me who handle drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts and letters. For more, see “How Can a Good Business Contract Help my Business?”

September Tip 1 2024: Many people call me in order to ask if they need to form a separate company, such as a corporation or limited liability company.  It can sometimes be a good idea to form a separate business entity to try to shield you from some liability and for other business reasons, such as increasing the appearance of professionalism and wanting to do business with another company that requires you to have a separate business entity. For more, see “Are There Other Reasons to Form a Business Entity?”

August Tip 2 2024: A handshake agreement can be binding, and many people wonder why a written contract is even necessary. But, it is generally a good idea to have written contracts so there is a clear agreement to refer to and to potentially help avoid litigation. A clear written contract can help both sides of an agreement maintain a strong, professional working relationship. For more, see “How Can a Good Business Contract Help My Business?”

August Tip 1 2024: Many potential clients call wanting to start their own brand of jewelry, handbags, apparel and other goods, Before spending money on manufacturing, PR and marketing such products, it’s generally a good idea to speak with a trademark attorney .  This is because one of the potential forms of damages to be awarded to the plaintiff is all of the profits made from the infringing goods. For more see “What is Trademark Infringement?”

July Tip 2 2024: Many people call me confused as to why they have received a cease and desist letter for posting a photo to their social media or website. It is commonly the case that the photographer who took the photo owns all rights to it, including the copyright. So, if you borrow a photo you find on the Internet and post it to your social media or website, you may be infringing the photographer’s copyright or that of the entity or person who controls the copyright.If you have questions about photographs and how they can legally be used, it’s generally a good idea to consult with an intellectual property attorney.  For more see “What Rights Does a Copyright Owner Have?”

July Tip 1 2024: Opening an online retail store can involve several copyright and trademark issues that should be considered before your retail website goes live. Use of the store’s brand name could result in the receipt of a cease and desist letter or your site being taken down. So, it’s generally a good idea to consult with an intellectual property lawyer prior to starting to sell goods and prior to advertising your online retail store, so you can minimize the risk of infringement. For more see “What is Trademark Infringement?“

June Tip 2 2024: Many potential clients call when they receive a cease and desist letter about a trademark they have been using. If you receive a cease and desist letter, it’s a good idea to have an attorney review the facts of the matter adn to advise you on what your best options are for a response. For more, see “What is Trademark Infringement?”

June Tip 1 2024: A contract can be made via text messages, but this kind of contract can be challenging to prove in litigation. So, it’s generally a good idea to have a clear document in writing to rely on in court, settlement negotiations or arbitration. For more, see “Why Use Written Contracts for your Business?“

May Tip 2 2024: Many people call me to see if I can protect their fashion designs with copyright registration. Generally, fashion designs cannot be protected via copyright registration due to the Useful Articles Doctrine. By way of example, a design for a leather motorcycle jacket cannot typically be protected via copyright. However, certain elements of a garment can potentially be protected, such as prints on fabric or embroidery. For more, see “What Kinds of Work Can Be Protected by Copyright?”

May Tip 1 2024: Many people have questions about what exactly a fashion lawyer can do for them.  Fashion lawyers can give advice concerning protecting brand names, textile prints, photographs, websites and more, and also give advice about the types of contracts that can be beneficial to your fashion business. For more, see “What Do Fashion Lawyers Do?“

April Tip 2 2024: Many people have a “handshake deal” and think it’s a perfectly acceptable agreement. While a handshake deal can potentially be binding, the issue can be that when there’s a conflict, it may be challenging to prove what was agreed upon, if anything. Therefore, it may be preferable to have an agreement in writing signed by both parties, so there is one clear document in writing in the event of a disagreement. For more, see “Why Use Written Contracts for your Business?“

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Television Commentary—Co-Branding and Licensing Agreements in the Fashion Industry

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Eight Intellectual Property Myths that Can Hurt You:

1. An acquaintance took a photo of me and because it’s a photo of me, I can use it wherever I want and even re-post it in social media.

Example: A friend of a friend took a photo of me at the beach this summer, and my friend forwarded it to me. I like the photo, so I reposted it on my own Instagram® account.

It may seem odd, but the owner of the copyright photo is generally the person who took the photo. So, even though you appear in the photo, that does not typically give you the right to use the photo. Only the copyright owner (called the “claimant”) generally has the right to make and distribute copies of the photo. Therefore, if you post a photo you did not take without the permission of the owner of the photo, you may be vulnerable to a copyright infringement lawsuit.

2. If I alter someone else’s creative work by more than 25%, then I am not infringing that person’s copyright when I copy, offer for sale or distribute my own revised version of the work because I made the work my own by adding so much material to it.

Example: I take Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe print and change the colors and the size. Since I changed the work a lot, I think I’m not infringing the copyright.

This is likely untrue. The measure of copyright infringement is “substantial similarity”–whether or not a reasonable person would find the two works substantially similar based on a number of specific considerations. There is no set percentage by which you can alter a work and be sure to avoid being sued for infringement. If you really want to build on someone else’s work, you should have a copyright attorney “clear” the work by obtaining permissions where necessary.

3. I can use someone else’s trademarked brand in connection with my product or service because mine is a different kind of product or service.

Example: I open a café called Pink Berries that does not sell frozen yogurt. Because I don’t sell yogurt, and I changed the name, I assume I am not infringing the Pinkberry yogurt chain’s trademark.

When it comes to trademark infringement, the issue is whether there is a “likelihood of confusion.” This is determined by weighing several factors. A few of the factors that would be considered are 1) whether consumers are likely to be confused about the source of the product or service; 2) whether the marks are similar in appearance, phonetic sound, or meaning; and 3) whether the marks are used in the same or similar channels of commerce. The determination of likelihood of confusion is a complicated matter. Therefore, don’t just pick a brand name because you like it; you should clear it with a trademark attorney first. If you are sued for trademark infringement, you may have to pay damages; you may have to forfeit all of your profits associated with the trademark; and you may lose all of the time and money you put into your marketing and advertising.

4. I can get a poor man’s copyright by mailing myself a copy of my creation and keeping it in a sealed envelope.

Example: I’m a screenwriter in Los Angeles. I mail myself a copy of my latest screenplay, and I keep the sealed envelope in my desk. I believe this gives me an enforceable copyright.

This is an urban legend, and the answer is “no”. Mailing your work to yourself isn’t what gives you a copyright (though in some cases it might give you something of value). The screenplay is actually copyrighted the moment you put it on paper. That said, there are real advantages to formally registering the copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office. These include the ability to file a lawsuit for copyright infringement, and when you file in a timely manner, the right to get extra money (statutory damages and attorney’s fees) in such a lawsuit.

It is fairly simple to apply for a copyright registration on your own. If you feel more comfortable, you can use an attorney who specializes in copyrights.

5. If a creative work does not have a copyright notice, then it’s not copyrighted, and I can do whatever I want with it.

Example: I liked someone else’s blog entry about cars so I copied a few paragraphs from it and posted it on my car aficionado website and even gave the blogger credit. I think this is not copyright infringement because the blogger doesn’t have a copyright notice, and I gave him credit and didn’t copy the whole blog.

This is not true for several reasons: 1) Everything created after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether or not it has a copyright notice on it. 2) Giving others credit for their work is not the same as getting permission to use their work. 3) Copying a substantial part of a blog word-for-word is likely to be infringement.

If you’re not sure, consult with an experienced copyright attorney.

6. If I have a phrase I use for my business, I can copyright it.

Example: I use the slogan “Goofy Twofer Tuesday” for my business. I can copyright the slogan.

There are a few big issues here: 1) There is no copyright for words and short phrases. You may be able to trademark your business slogan, but it’s not copyrightable. 2) In addition, certain kinds of writing are not copyrightable. For example, you can’t copyright a list of addresses. Also, you cannot copyright individual recipes.

When it doubt, consult with an attorney. The difference between a copyright and a trademark is very significant.

7. I want to use an old creative work for commercial purposes. Since it’s so old, I can use it for free.

Example: I assume that I can use an old oil painting for free on my new line of greeting cards without infringing the copyright.

It depends. Just because a work is old doesn’t mean it is in the public domain and therefore free for anyone to use. Particular rules and dates apply to what is and isn’t in the public domain. As a general rule in the U.S., works created after January 1, 1978 maintain copyright protection for 70 years after the author passes away. Also be aware that international copyright laws can be very different from U.S. laws.

8. I had a photographer sign a work-for-hire agreement covering the photos he took for my website, so I own the photos free and clear.

Example: I paid this photographer in Los Angeles $500 to take photos for my website and had him sign a work-for-hire agreement before he did any work.

It’s important to know that only certain types of works qualify as works-for-hire according to U.S. copyright law. These works include (if the parties expressly agree in a written contract signed by both parties): a work by an employee as part of his or her employment or a work specially ordered or commissioned for use as: a contribution to a collective work; part of a motion picture or audiovisual work, translations, a supplementary work, compilations, tests and test answers and atlases. So, unless the photos by the photographer fall into one of the foregoing categories, they will not be works-for-hire. This may impact what type of written contract you want to have with the photographer to transfer ownership of the copyright to you. It’s a good idea to consult with an attorney about your specific contract needs so that you end up owning the work you want to own.

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Summary of Los Angeles Attorney Melissa K. Dagodag’s Services:

I am an experienced Los Angeles attorney who works with business law, entertainment law, music law, fashion law and intellectual property law (including trademark law and copyright law). This includes business formation (corporations, partnerships, LLCs), copyright and trademark registration, drafting and negotiating contracts, cease and desist letters, collection letters, infringement settlement, creating business plans, and other legal advice and research. See a summary of the legal services I provide.

FORMING BUSINESSES: I can form your business entity properly by filing the appropriate papers with the California Secretary of State and then drafting the appropriate business agreement (such as an Operating Agreement for limited liability companies and Bylaws for a corporation). Since I practice as a business formation attorney in Los Angeles, I also help my clients who live in or around Los Angeles by meeting with them in person in order to sign and review all of the relevant documents; obtain Employer I.D. Numbers (EIN #’s) from the IRS; and gather all of the documents necessary to open company bank accounts. I also write and review business plans to clarify your marketing and business needs and help you find financing. For more information, see forming corporations, partnerships, and LLCs.

TRADEMARKS: as an experienced trademark lawyer in Los Angeles, I register and protect your trademarks and service marks (both are commonly known as brand names). I take my clients through the entire trademark application process. I also draft cease and desist letters when people are infringing on your trademarks or copyrights. For example, if you are a designer who sells your furniture throughout the U.S., and you own the trademark for your line of furniture, and you discover another company starts to use the same trademark, I will help you put an end to it. I also handle infringement settlements. When you need a trademark attorney in Los Angeles, my office is an excellent choice. For more information, go to trademark registration, licensing, and infringement issues.

CONTRACTS: I draft, review and negotiate a wide array of contracts for clients inside and outside of Los Angeles. See the next paragraph for some of the kinds of contracts I typically draft. Find more information about the services I provide in preparing, negotiating, and reviewing contracts.

TYPES OF CONTRACTS: some of the contracts that I typically write, review and negotiate are business formation, business dissolution, trade secret, work-for-hire, employment, non-disclosure, distribution, fashion, sales representative, production (music, film and television), recording artist, songwriter, record producer, music and book publishing, writer, author, sale of business, buy-sell, web developer, website terms and conditions, licensing (copyrights and trademarks) and settlement. I also write collection letters (for clients who want to collect past due money).

ENTERTAINMENT CONTRACTS: as an entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, I draft production agreements for many Los Angeles entertainment companies, film companies and independent producers. I draft agreements for independent films (including writer, director, producer, actor, etc.) and option agreements.

MUSIC CONTRACTS: as a music attorney in Los Angeles, I draft record producer agreements, record label agreements, composer agreements, management agreements, recording artist agreements, master use licenses and synch licenses. Before opening my own law firm, I worked as Vice President of Palan Music (which was later purchased by MCS).

FASHION LAW: I provide a wide range of fashion law services for small companies, individual designers and start-ups. While many of my fashion clients are in Los Angeles. I work with companies all over the United States. Before opening my own law firm, I worked as Business Affairs Counsel at BCBG.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: in addition to dealing with trademark and copyright issues, I also handle a wide range of your intellectual property needs. For example, I protect your trade secrets with written contracts (trade secrets are one of the only forms of intellectual property protection that require no registration). I also draft work-for-hire agreements so that you can own whatever intellectual property is created for you by the people you hire. I handle domain name issues and U.S. Customs intellectual property registration and enforcement. I can register your brand names and creative works with U.S. Customs to prevent the importation of infringing goods. I handle many other aspects of intellectual property law, including website terms & conditions and web development agreements.

LEGAL ADVICE: I serve as General Counsel for many of the small businesses I work with. If your needs are more specific–for instance, if you need a Los Angeles trademark attorney or a lawyer based in Los Angeles who handles business formation–I can also handle your individual legal issues.

LITIGATION: while I don’t litigate, I can readily turn to a great team of litigators to help you.

INTERNATIONAL: although I practice as an attorney in the U.S., I apply for European trademark protection through the Madrid Protocol application available via the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For many countries not covered by the Madrid Protocol I have a readily-available network of foreign attorneys and agents who can assist my clients with matters overseas in order to receive foreign copyright and trademark protection, as well as intellectual property rights enforcement.

EXCELLENCE: if you need an excellent Los Angeles trademark attorney, see what services I provide through the success stories of my clients. If you are searching for top entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, I have the experience and skills you need. If you want one of the top music lawyers in Los Angeles, see the remarks of some of my award-winning clients and see the music law section of my site. If you need a great contract attorney in Los Angeles, I urge you to inquire about my services. If it’s an excellent Los Angeles copyright attorney you’re looking for, I can help you, and I can teach you how to apply for copyrights yourself. If you need one of the best fashion attorneys in Los Angeles, I’ve worked for BCBG and have provided legal services to many smaller fashion clients. If you want an experienced business attorney, or other related legal services, I encourage you to contact me. I seek to provide the best legal services available in Los Angeles for small businesses and creative individuals at a reasonable price.

Representative Clients:

CLIENTS: I have experience with many types of clients including: start-ups, manufacturers, fashion designers, jewelry designers, filmmakers, artists, authors, actors, producers, writers, digital animators, web developers, videogame developers, photographers, inventors, architects, contractors, interior designers, showroom owners, computer programmers, consumer product manufacturers, music publishers, music producers, musicians, songwriters, record producers, record labels, recording artists, retail store owners, architects, social networking sites, distributors, non-profits, business consultants and other entrepreneurs. While many of my clients are local, I work with clients nationally and even internationally. See some of my client success stories.

My Goal:

GOAL: my goal as your attorney is to understand what your legal needs are and then to provide the highest quality legal services available.

Experience and Training:

EXPERIENCE: I have extensive training and experience as an attorney, and as a small business owner. While I now own my Los Angeles law office, I previously owned my own product design and manufacturing business for about eight years before becoming a lawyer in Los Angeles, so I have real world experience marketing at trade shows, writing brochure copy, designing brochures, creating press kits, invoicing, collecting and managing teams of sales representatives and employees. Whether you need a trademark lawyer in Los Angeles, an attorney to form your California-based company, business plans prepared or reviewed, contracts written or reviewed, or general counsel for your small business, my business know-how helps me bridge the gap between lawyer and layperson, so that I demystify legal concepts and help my clients get a handle on their legal issues.

Areas Served:

LOCATION: while I am a lawyer based in Los Angeles, I work with clients throughout California and the United States. The Law Offices of Melissa K. Dagodag serves the following Southern California cities: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Malibu, Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Burbank, Pasadena, Glendale, Studio City, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, Hollywood, West L.A., Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Newport Beach, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Marina Del Rey, Rancho Park, the Beverly Center area, and downtown L.A..

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