Copyright Infringement Lawyer NYC - Francelina M. Perdomo Klukosky of Perdomo Law
Copyright Infringement Law Firm, Perdomo Law in Manhattan New York, NY
Perdomo Law, a leading NYC law firm specializing in copyright infringement cases, can represents plaintiffs or defendants with copyright infringement cases.
- Perdomo Law can legally assist artists and creators protect their intellectual property from unauthorized copyright infringement. The most common example of copyright infringement comes from the use of photos, but intellectual property can include music, books, videos, and text. Legal rewards can be as much as $30,000 per offense.
- Perdomo Law can also advise and negotiate on behalf of individuals who may have knowingly or unknowingly used the intellectual property owned by someone else. Editing or removing copyrighted material does not eliminate your liability.
In both cases, it is essential you contact us for a case assessment as soon as possible. In this day and age it is very easy to track and prove the unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Image
The internet offers opportunities and potential complications. A common concern for anyone developing and operating a website is copyright issues. The laws covering ownership of creative materials protect the creator and can cause legal problems for anyone that incorrectly uses the material. The use of any media without proper licensing can become an expensive mistake. Here is what everyone should know about U.S. copyright laws.
Copyright Law Development
The United States created the Copyright Act early into the country's existence on May 31st, 1790. The original act protected only maps, charts, and books for 14 years and gave an option to renew the protection for an additional 14 years. Since its inception, the law has experienced numerous changes.
Image Copyright Protection
Images currently have instant copyright once the photographer releases the camera shutter. Photographs remain the property of the person who created the image, or their estate, for 70 years beyond their life. It is illegal to use a copyrighted image in whole or part without permission from the owner. Editing the image in any manner will not nullify the copyright.
Unauthorized Image Use
Website owners or designers may think it is worth the risk to use an image without permission. The internet is vast and covered in photographs. The odds of the photographer seeing their work in use may seem unlikely. Others may feel they are not breaking any copyright laws if they are not directly profiting from the work by selling products that use the image or claiming it is something they created.
A copyright protects against any unauthorized use. For example, an image owner can sue for up to $30,000 for every unintentional misuse. The amounts increase to $150,000 for each willful unauthorized use.
Possible Copyright Actions
Most image owners only want people to stop using their work without permission. People who do not license images for use may receive a cease-and-desist order from a lawyer for the owner or their estate that requires them to stop using the property immediately. The risk, however, of the owner filing a lawsuit and seeking damages should concern any business owner enough to follow the law.
Image Use Permission
Avoid legal complications by using images lawfully. People can either use only the work they create, seek out copyright-free stock photos, or contact the image owner for permission. The owner will often offer contracts that explain the accepted use of their work and the cost of its use. If the owner does not have documents for this purpose, have some created and kept on file in case questions arise later.
Image sharing occurs so often online it is easy to forget that an individual created the original work and may still own it. Locating the owner of any image can become complex, but a futile search will not erase the law. Do not use any image without permission or assuming it is a free-use stock photo. Protect your website and business by following copyright laws for all media.
Contact Copyright Infringement Attorney, Francelina M. Perdomo Klukosky for a Case Assessment
Whether you're an artist or someone who knowingly or unknowingly used someone's intellectual property, it is essential you contact the copyright legal team at Perdomo Law as soon as possible. We will review your case and help you make the best decision to negotiate and resolve these matters quickly and economically.
Please contact us
for a legal consultation.
Additional References
- Copyright Infringement and Remedies - U.S. Copyright Office
