Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to helping companies 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 difficulties of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with creatives throughout California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal support in Folsom for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when an owner's work is used without their consent. Unauthorized reproductions, distributions, adaptations, or public displays of the work are all examples of copyright infringements. Copyright law exists to protect the rights of creators and authors, and to ensure that they are able to control how their work is used and disseminated. 
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 copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
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. 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?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, you need to seek legal advice. If you have been sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order 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, if you are infringing, stop Continuing to infringe can put you at risk of 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 Available to Help Folsom Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – call 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.