Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to supporting creatives and individuals obtain and monetize copyrightable works, and provide defense services for copyright infringement lawsuits. As an author, small business owner, and serial entrepreneur, lawyer Brian sees the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal support in Alta Sierra Ranches for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the owner's permission is considered copyright infringement. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. It protects the rights of creators and authors, and ensures that their work can be used and distributed in the way that they choose. 
Copyright infringement can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, or other media without permission, using someone else's work as your own, or reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work without permission. Most copyright infringements are civil offenses, and the copyright owner may pursue monetary damages. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
Using others' work must be done with permission and with respect for their copyright. Fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is an exception to copyright law. There are, however, a few exceptions to fair use, and you should not rely on them unless you know for sure that your use is permitted. 

What Are Your First Three Steps When Sued for Copyright Infringement?

In the event that you are sued for copyright infringement, you should take the matter seriously and take the steps necessary to protect your rights. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, you need to seek legal advice. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. You can get legal advice from an attorney to understand your rights and options. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Carefully review the complaint that has been filed against you to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. This will help you identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response. 
Third, infringing activity must be stopped. If you continue to infringe, you may be exposed to additional liability. And, to some extent, receiving notice of infringing activity puts you in a position of looking like a bad-faith intentional actor if you continue to infringe after receiving notice. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Alta Sierra Ranches Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – contact Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding inquiries from potential new copyright clients every day. Having an attorney on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.