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

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. Copyright law exists to protect the rights of creators and authors, and to ensure that they are able to control how their work is used and disseminated. 
The violation of a copyright can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, and other media without permission, misappropriating someone else's work, and reproducing and selling a copy of a copyrighted work. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
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. 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?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, get legal advice. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have been sued for copyright infringement. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against 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. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. 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 Excited to Help Brandeis 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.