Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed 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 feels the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal guidance in Auburn Lake Trails for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. The purpose of copyright law is to protect the rights of writers, creators, and publishers in order to ensure that how their work is used and disseminated is under their control. 
Using someone else's work without permission is a form of copyright infringement, as is reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work. An infringer may be held liable for monetary damages if they commit copyright infringement. 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. 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. 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. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, seek legal advice. If you have been sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
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. You can expose yourself to additional liability by continuing the infringement. As a result, if you continue to infringe after receiving notice that you are infringing, you will appear to be a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Excited to Help Auburn Lake Trails Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

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