Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to helping 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, attorney Brian appreciates the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with businesses across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal support in Casa de Oro-Mount Helix 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. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. Copyright law exists to protect the rights of creators and authors, and to ensure that they are able to control how their work is used and disseminated. 
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 copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
It is important to respect the copyright of others and to seek permission before using their work. Fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is an exception to copyright law. 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?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. Take these three steps as a starting point: 
First, get 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, 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. 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. 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 Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – contact 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.