Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to advising 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, attorney Brian feels the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Angwin for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when an owner's work is used without their consent. Unauthorized reproductions, distributions, adaptations, or public displays of the work are all examples of copyright infringements. As a result of copyright law, authors and creators are able to control how their work is used and distributed. 
Using someone else's work without permission is a form of copyright infringement, as is reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. A copyright infringement is still an infringement regardless of the infringer's state of mind. For basic questions of whether a work was infringed, the infringer's state of mind does not matter. 
It is important to respect the copyright of others and to seek permission before using their work. Exceptions to copyright law allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. You should, however, only rely on fair use exceptions if you are certain your use falls within their scope. 

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

The matter of copyright infringement should be taken seriously and protected if you are sued. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, seek legal advice. If you have been sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. It is important to speak with a lawyer to understand your rights and options, and to determine what course of action is best for you. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. By identifying your defenses, you will be able to plan your response. 
Third, stop your infringing activity if you are engaged in infringement. 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 Angwin Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

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