Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to advising 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 appreciates the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal guidance in Brawley 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. 
Using someone else's work without permission is a form of copyright infringement, as is reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
The copyright of others should be respected and permission sought before using their work. It is possible to use copyrighted material for teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, news reporting, or fair use without permission in certain situations. 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?

In the event that you are sued for copyright infringement, you should take the matter seriously and take the steps necessary to protect your rights. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, you need to seek legal advice. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have been sued for copyright infringement. It is important to speak with a lawyer to understand your rights and options, and to determine what course of action is best for you. 
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. Your response will be guided by identifying any defenses you may have available. 
Third, if you are infringing, stop If you continue to infringe, you may be exposed 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 Here to Help Brawley 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 lawyer on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.