Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to helping 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 sees the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with people throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal guidance in Cotati for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

An unauthorized use of a copyrighted work is considered infringement. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. As a result of copyright law, authors and creators are able to control how their work is used and distributed. 
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. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. 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. 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?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, seek legal advice. If you have been sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. 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. 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 Ready to Help Cotati Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – call 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.