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, lawyer Brian feels the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with people across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal guidance in Atwater 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. 
If you copy and distribute music, videos, or other media without permission, use someone else's work as your own, or reproduce and sell copies of a copyrighted work without permission, you may have committed copyright infringement. An infringer may be held liable for monetary damages if they commit copyright infringement. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
Using others' work must be done with permission and with respect for their copyright. 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. It is important, however, to verify that your use falls within the scope of fair use exceptions before relying upon them. 

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. The first three steps are as follows: 
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. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, read the legal complaint you received. 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, infringing activity must be stopped. 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 Available to Help Atwater Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – contact 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.