Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to guiding creators 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 sees the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with folks across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal guidance in Gardena 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. 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. 
The violation of a copyright can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, and other media without permission, misappropriating someone else's work, and reproducing and selling a copy of a copyrighted work. 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. 
Using others' work must be done with permission and with respect for 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. Fair use exceptions are narrow and should not be relied upon unless you are certain that your use is covered. 

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. Take these three steps as a starting point: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. 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 filed against you. In this way, you can identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. Continuing to infringe can expose you to 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 Excited to Help Gardena Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – 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.