Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to guiding 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, lawyer Brian understands the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal advice in Chino 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. 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. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
You should seek permission before using someone else's work and respect their copyright. Fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is an exception to copyright law. 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. The first three steps are as follows: 
First, you need to seek legal advice. If you have been sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on you. Review the complaint filed against you carefully 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 your infringing activity if you are engaged in infringement. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. 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 Chino Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – contact 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.