Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to advising 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, lawyer Brian gets the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with companies throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal advice in Ben Lomond 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. Unauthorized reproductions, distributions, adaptations, or public displays of the work are all examples of copyright infringements. To ensure creators and authors have control over how their work is used and distributed, copyright law exists. 
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. 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. 
Using others' work must be done with permission and with respect for their copyright. In addition, there are some exceptions to copyright laws, such as fair use by critics, news reporters, teachers, scholars, or researchers. 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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, consult a lawyer. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, read the legal complaint you received. Review the complaint filed against you carefully to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. Your response will be guided by identifying any defenses you may have available. 
Third, infringing activity must be stopped. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. 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 Ben Lomond Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – 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.