Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to guiding businesses 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 struggles 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 are considering legal support in Hoopa for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

An unauthorized use of a copyrighted work is considered infringement. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. The purpose of copyright law is to protect the rights of writers, creators, and publishers in order to ensure that how their work is used and disseminated is under their control. 
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. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the infringement. If the work has been infringement, the state of mind of the infringer generally does not matter. 
You should seek permission before using someone else's work and 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. 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?

The matter of copyright infringement should be taken seriously and protected if you are sued. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, you need to retain an attorney. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and options, and advise you on the best course of action. 
Second, make sure you review the legal complaint that has been 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, infringing activity must be stopped. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. And, to some extent, receiving notice of infringing activity puts you in a position of looking like a bad-faith intentional actor if you continue to infringe after receiving notice. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Ready to Help Hoopa Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is easy – 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.