Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to supporting corporations 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 sees the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal advice in Bay Point for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

An unauthorized use of a copyrighted work is considered 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. 
Copyright infringement can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, or other media without permission, using someone else's work as your own, or reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work without permission. Most copyright infringements are civil offenses, and the copyright owner may pursue monetary damages. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
It is important to respect the copyright of others and to seek permission before using their work. In addition, there are some exceptions to copyright laws, such as fair use by critics, news reporters, teachers, scholars, or researchers. 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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, get legal advice. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. Your response will be guided by identifying any defenses you may have available. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. Continuing to infringe can expose you to additional liability. 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 Bay Point Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

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