Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to advising companies 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 corporations throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Campbell 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. 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. 
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 infringer can be sued for monetary damages. 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. 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. You should, however, only rely on fair use exceptions if you are certain your use falls within their scope. 

What Are Your First Three Steps When Sued for Copyright Infringement?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on you. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order 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, infringing activity must be stopped. Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of additional liability. As a result, if you continue to infringe after receiving notice that you are infringing, you will appear to be a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Available to Help Campbell 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.