Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to advising companies 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 gets the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with companies across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Ashland 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. Infringement of copyright can occur through reproduction, distribution, adaptation, or public display. To ensure creators and authors have control over how their work is used and distributed, copyright law exists. 
The violation of a copyright can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, and other media without permission, misappropriating someone else's work, and reproducing and selling a copy of a copyrighted work. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. The infringer's state of mind generally does not come into play for basic questions of whether the work was infringed. 
You should seek permission before using someone else's work and respect their copyright. There are some exceptions to copyright law that allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, fair use exceptions are narrow and should not be relied upon unless you are certain that 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. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint filed against you. By doing so, you can identify possible defenses and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. In some cases, receiving notice of infringing activity puts you in a position of looking like a bad-faith intentional infringer. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Ready to Help Ashland Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – call Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding calls 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.