Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to advising 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, attorney Brian sees the struggles 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 are considering legal guidance in Contra Costa Centre 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. As a result of copyright law, authors and creators are able to control how their work is used and distributed. 
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. 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. It is possible to use copyrighted material for teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, news reporting, or fair use without permission in certain situations. 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?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, you need to 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. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. Your response will be guided by identifying any defenses you may have available. 
Third, if you are infringing, stop Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of 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 Available to Help Contra Costa Centre Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – 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.