Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to supporting 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 gets the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal guidance in Collierville for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when an owner's work is used without their consent. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. It protects the rights of creators and authors, and ensures that their work can be used and distributed in the way that they choose. 
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. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the infringement. 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. 
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. There are, however, a few exceptions to fair use, and you should not rely on them unless you know for sure that your use is permitted. 

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. It is important to speak with a lawyer to understand your rights and options, and to determine what course of action is best for you. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint that has been filed against you. By identifying your defenses, you will be able to plan your response. 
Third, stop your infringing activity if you are engaged in infringement. Continuing to infringe can expose you to additional liability. If you continue to infringe despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Available to Help Collierville Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – contact Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding calls 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.