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 difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal support in Cottonwood for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the owner's permission is considered copyright infringement. 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. 
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. Most copyright infringements are civil offenses, and the copyright owner may pursue monetary damages. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
You should seek permission before using someone else's work and respect their copyright. Exceptions to copyright law allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. 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, seek legal advice. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. You can get legal advice from an attorney to understand your rights and options. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. By identifying your defenses, you will be able to plan your response. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of additional liability. If you continue to infringe despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Cottonwood 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 attorney on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.