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, lawyer Brian feels the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal support in Cherryland 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. 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. 
If you copy and distribute music, videos, or other media without permission, use someone else's work as your own, or reproduce and sell copies of a copyrighted work without permission, you may have committed copyright infringement. Most copyright infringements are civil offenses, and the copyright owner may pursue monetary damages. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
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. However, fair use exceptions are narrow and should not be relied upon unless you are certain that your use falls within their scope. 

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. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, seek legal advice. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, 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. 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 expose you to additional liability. 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 Available to Help Cherryland Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

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