Brian Russ Law, Inc. is resolved 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, attorney Brian sees the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with people across California to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Lenwood 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. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. 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. 
If you copy and distribute music, videos, or other media without permission, use someone else's work as your own, or reproduce and sell copies of a copyrighted work without permission, you may have committed copyright infringement. Copyright infringement is usually a civil offense, and the owner can seek damages for the 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. 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?

If you are sued for copyright infringement, it is important to take the matter seriously and take steps to protect your interests. Follow these three steps to get started: 
First, consult a lawyer. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. 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. 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, stop your infringing activity if you are engaged in infringement. By continuing to violate the law, you can expose yourself to additional liabilities. If you continue to infringe after receiving notice of infringing activity, you may appear to be acting in bad faith. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Here to Help Lenwood Businesses and Individuals with Copyright Law Matters

The conclusion is simple – 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.