Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to guiding 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 appreciates the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal advice in Bret Harte 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. 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. 
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. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. 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. 
You should seek permission before using someone else's work and respect their copyright. There are some exceptions to copyright law that allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. 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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, you need to seek legal advice. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, read the legal complaint you received. Carefully review the complaint that has been filed against you to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. This will help you identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. And, to some extent, receiving notice of infringing activity puts you in a position of looking like a bad-faith intentional actor if you continue to infringe after receiving notice. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Bret Harte Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – call Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding calls 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.