Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to advising creatives 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 feels the worries 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 want legal support in Davis 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. Unauthorized reproductions, distributions, adaptations, or public displays of the work are all examples of copyright infringements. It protects the rights of creators and authors, and ensures that their work can be used and distributed in the way that they choose. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media without permission. Most copyright infringements are civil offenses, and the copyright owner may pursue monetary damages. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
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. 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?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. The first three steps are as follows: 
First, you need to 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, 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 identifying your defenses, you will be able to plan your response. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. If you continue to infringe, you may be exposed to additional liability. If you continue to infringe after receiving notice of infringing activity, you may appear to be acting in bad faith. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Ready to Help Davis 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.