Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed 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, attorney Brian appreciates the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal guidance in El Rio 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. This can include reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying the work without permission. To ensure creators and authors have control over how their work is used and distributed, copyright law exists. 
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. An infringer may be held liable for monetary damages if they commit copyright infringement. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
The copyright of others should be respected and permission sought before using their work. 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?

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. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. A lawyer can explain your rights and options to you, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint that has been filed against you. This will help you identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. You can expose yourself to additional liability by continuing the infringement. If you continue to infringe despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Excited to Help El Rio Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – call 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.