Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to advising creators 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 California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal advice in Bishop for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when an owner's work is used without their consent. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. 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. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media 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. 
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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. The first three steps are as follows: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have been sued for copyright infringement. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Review the complaint filed against you carefully to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. In this way, you can identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. 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 Ready to Help Bishop Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – 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.