You’ve heard them. Jazzy commercials for big national products set to popular music from Madonna to Sinatra. What you might not realize is that those songs are somebody’s intellectual property and using those songs involves an issue called copyright. Copyright infringement is a federal crime and many lawsuits have been filed through the years against those who violate these laws.

Here are a few things you need to know about copyright:

* If you did not create it or register it, you will need to get permission to use it.
* If you are using media content that was produced by someone else, get an agreement in writing giving you the right to make copies. Don’t assume that you can do so without permission.
* Be cautious! Only you can make sure you are legally within your rights. If you have any questions, consult your lawyer.