Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to supporting 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 appreciates the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with corporations across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal advice in Goleta 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. This can include reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying the work without permission. As a result of copyright law, authors and creators are able to control how their work is used and distributed. 
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. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. The infringer's state of mind generally does not come into play for basic questions of whether the work was infringed. 
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. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, consult a lawyer. 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. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. This will help you identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response. 
Third, infringing activity must be stopped. 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 Available to Help Goleta 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 lawyer on your team can help you avoid costly mistakes and give you invaluable peace of mind.