Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved to guiding companies 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 appreciates the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with people across the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you want legal advice in Ladera Heights for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when an owner's work is used without their consent. 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. 
Copyright infringement can take many forms, including copying and distributing music, videos, or other media without permission, using someone else's work as your own, or reproducing and selling copies of a copyrighted work without permission. In most cases, copyright infringement is a civil offense, and the infringer can be sued for monetary damages. The infringer's state of mind is generally not relevant to whether the work was copied. Innocent copyright infringement is still infringement. 
It is important to respect the copyright of others and to seek permission before using their work. Exceptions to copyright law allow for limited use of copyrighted material without permission, such as fair use for 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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, consult a lawyer. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. The advice of a lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. 
Second, review the legal complaint that was served on you. Review the complaint filed against you carefully to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. By doing so, you can identify possible defenses and plan your response accordingly. 
Third, infringing activity must be stopped. If you continue to infringe, you may be exposed to additional liability. If you continue to infringe despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Excited to Help Ladera Heights Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

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