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

What Is Copyright Infringement?

A copyrighted work can be viewed as infringed upon if it is used without the permission of the owner. Infringement of copyright can occur through reproduction, distribution, adaptation, or public display. As a result of copyright law, authors and creators are able to control how their work is used and distributed. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media without permission. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
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. Take these three steps as a starting point: 
First, get legal advice. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. 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, 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. By doing so, you can identify possible defenses 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. 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 Cool 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 lawyer on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.