Brian Russ Law, Inc. is committed to supporting 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, lawyer Brian sees the worries of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with businesses throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal support in Lockeford 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. The act of reproducing, distributing, adapting, or publicly displaying a work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. 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. 
It is illegal to copy, distribute, sell, or reproduce copyrighted works without permission. This includes sharing music, videos, or other media without permission. 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. 
Using others' work must be done with permission and with respect for their copyright. 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?

Taking steps to protect your interests is important if you are sued for copyright infringement. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, get legal advice. A copyright infringement lawsuit should be addressed as soon as possible by seeking legal advice. You can get legal advice from an attorney to understand your rights and options. 
Second, read the legal complaint you received. Take the time to review the complaint that has been filed against you in order to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. In this way, you can identify any defenses that may be available to you 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 despite receiving notice, you may look like a bad-faith intentional actor. 

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

The conclusion is straightforward – 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.