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, attorney Brian sees the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with businesses across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you need legal support in La Sierra 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. 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. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media without permission. An infringer may be held liable for monetary damages if they commit copyright infringement. A copyright infringement is still an infringement regardless of the infringer's state of mind. For basic questions of whether a work was infringed, the infringer's state of mind does not matter. 
The copyright of others should be respected and permission sought before using their work. In addition, there are some exceptions to copyright laws, such as fair use by critics, news reporters, teachers, scholars, or researchers. 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?

The matter of copyright infringement should be taken seriously and protected if you are sued. Here are the first three steps you should take: 
First, get legal advice. In the event that you have been sued for copyright infringement, you should obtain legal counsel as soon as possible. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement in the complaint that has been filed against you. By identifying your defenses, you will be able to plan your response. 
Third, infringing activity must be stopped. Continuing to infringe can expose you to additional liability. 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 Excited to Help La Sierra Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is straightforward – 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.