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

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. 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. 
Using someone else's work without permission is a form of copyright infringement, as is reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the infringement. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
Before appropriating another's work, it is important to respect their copyright. 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. 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?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, consult a lawyer. 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, read the legal complaint you received. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint that has been filed against you. 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 By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. In some cases, receiving notice of infringing activity puts you in a position of looking like a bad-faith intentional infringer. 

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

The conclusion is simple – call Brian Russ Law, Inc. today. We’re fielding calls 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.