Brian Russ Law, Inc. is dedicated to supporting corporations 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 feels the struggles of business owners and individuals when they think about and try to understand copyright law. Brian works with people throughout the Golden State to address common issues like copyright registration, fair use analysis, licensing decisions, and more. If you are considering legal advice in Long Beach for copyright issues, then you’ve come to the right place.

What Is Copyright Infringement?

A copyrighted work can be viewed as infringed upon if it is used without the permission of the owner. If the work is reproduced, distributed, adapted, or publicly displayed without permission, then copyright infringement has occurred. It protects the rights of creators and authors, and ensures that their work can be used and distributed in the way that they choose. 
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 copyright owner can seek monetary damages from the infringer. In general, the infringer's state of mind is not relevant for basic questions about whether the work was infringement. 
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. You should, however, only rely on fair use exceptions if you are certain your use falls within their scope. 

What Are Your First Three Steps When Sued for Copyright Infringement?

It is important to take steps to protect your interests if you are sued for copyright infringement. You should take the following three steps first: 
First, get legal advice. As soon as possible after being sued for copyright infringement, it is important to seek legal advice. You can get legal advice from an attorney to understand your rights and options. 
Second, you need to review and understand the legal complaint made against you. Carefully review the complaint that has been filed against you to understand the specific allegations of copyright infringement. This will help you identify any defenses that may be available to you and plan your response. 
Third, stop infringing activities if you are engaged in them. Continuing to infringe can expose you to additional liability. As a result, if you continue to infringe after receiving notice that you are infringing, you will appear to be a bad-faith intentional actor. 

Brian Russ Law, Inc. is Ready to Help Long Beach 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.