Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved 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, attorney Brian understands the difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Culver City 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. Unauthorized reproductions, distributions, adaptations, or public displays of the work are all examples of copyright infringements. 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. 
It is important to respect the copyright of others and to seek permission before using their work. There are some exceptions to copyright law that allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for purposes of criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. 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. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, get legal advice. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been served on you. Review the complaint filed against you carefully to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. By doing so, you can identify possible defenses and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, if you are infringing, stop Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of additional liability. As a result, if you continue to infringe after receiving notice that you are infringing, you will appear to be a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Culver City Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – 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.