Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to guiding 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, attorney Brian appreciates the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal support in Avenal 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. To ensure creators and authors have control over how their work is used and distributed, copyright law exists. 
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. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the 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. 
Before appropriating another's work, it is important to respect their copyright. Fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is an exception to copyright law. 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?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. The first three steps are as follows: 
First, seek legal advice. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have been sued for copyright infringement. 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, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against 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 doing so, you can identify possible defenses and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, if you are infringing, stop You can expose yourself to additional liability by continuing the infringement. If you continue to infringe after receiving notice of infringing activity, you may appear to be acting in bad faith. 

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

The conclusion is simple – 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.