Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to advising businesses 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 feels the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal guidance in Brea 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. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. To ensure creators and authors have control over how their work is used and distributed, copyright law exists. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media without permission. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
Before appropriating another's work, it is important to 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?

The matter of copyright infringement should be taken seriously and protected if you are sued. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, seek legal advice. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on you. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint filed against you. Your response will be guided by identifying any defenses you may have available. 
Third, stop your infringing activity if you are engaged in infringement. If you continue to infringe, you may be exposed to additional liability. If you continue to infringe despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Brea 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.