Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to advising corporations 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 sees the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal support in Canoga Park 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. 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. An infringer may be held liable for monetary damages if they commit copyright infringement. A copyright infringement is still an infringement regardless of the infringer's state of mind. For basic questions of whether a work was infringed, the infringer's state of mind does not matter. 
Before appropriating another's work, it is important to respect their copyright. Fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is an exception to copyright law. 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?

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. The first three steps are as follows: 
First, seek legal advice. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if you have been sued for copyright infringement. 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. Carefully review the complaint that has been filed against you to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. In this way, you can identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of 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 Canoga Park Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – 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.