Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to advising businesses 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 struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with companies across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal guidance in Bandini for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

A copyrighted work can be viewed as infringed upon if it is used without the permission of the owner. 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. 
Using someone else's work without permission is a form of copyright infringement, as is reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the infringement. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
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. Fair use exceptions are narrow and should not be relied upon unless you are certain that your use is covered. 

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. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, seek legal advice. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. You can get legal advice from an attorney to understand your rights and options. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on 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, infringing activity must be stopped. Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of 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 Available to Help Bandini Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – 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.