Experienced Copyright Attorneys Serving Clients Throughout the United States
If you’ve just received a cease and desist letter accusing you of copyright infringement, we’ve got the answers you need. At Darkhorse Attorneys, we have provided copyright defense services to countless individuals and businesses. We know that, in many cases, attorneys who send copyright demands use inflated numbers, aggressive tactics, and alarming threats to get you to settle – but we know what it takes to succeed. Our savvy copyright litigators can thoughtfully evaluate the legitimacy of the claims against you and help you chart your best path forward.
First Steps After Receiving a Copyright Cease & Desist Letter
If you’re on edge after receiving a copyright infringement notice, we get it. Copyright demand letters usually contain all sorts of statutory citations, legal threats, and eye-popping dollar amounts. It can be tempting to immediately respond by picking up the phone, giving that lawyer a piece of your mind, and then ultimately forking over the money just to make it all go away – and they’re counting on you to do exactly that.
But there’s a better way. At Darkhorse, we never guarantee that you’ll get the exact outcome you want, but we can arm you with knowledge so that you can make informed decisions.
If you’ve been accused of copyright infringement, follow this four-step process to increase your chances of coming out on top:
- Don’t respond directly. You probably have a few choice words for the attorney, but sharing them may hurt your chances of having any fruitful negotiations. As for the alleged copyright owner, radio silence is also the best move, since you aren’t allowed to contact an adverse party who you know is represented by a lawyer. Staying quiet can also prevent you from accidentally saying anything that could hurt you later on.
- Fix the main problem (if you can). Copyright infringement can take a variety of forms, but most run-of-the-mill copyright infringement claims involve one person posting images, text, video, or other copyright works on social media or a website of some sort. If this sounds like your situation, it may help to take down the material in question, at least while the dispute is ongoing. This is true regardless of whether you’ve done anything wrong, and doing so is not an admission of liability. This can also show the other side that you’re acting in good faith and taking reasonable measures to honor whatever legal rights they may have.
- Refrain from posting about it. Having done our fair share of copyright defense litigation, we know that legal threats have a way of getting under people’s skin. It can be tempting to take to social media to tell the world about the business or individual who’s accusing you of copyright infringement – or try to get ahead of the story – but staying quiet is usually the best way to protect yourself or your business. Talking about an ongoing legal dispute can only hurt you, so we always recommend taking the high road and keeping the dispute to yourself.
- Lawyer up. If you’re the only unrepresented party, you’re already at a disadvantage. If you want to beat or negotiate a copyright infringement claim successfully, you need an advocate who understands the ins and outs of copyright law and federal litigation. At Darkhorse Attorneys, we’ve helped many people in your position either walk away unscathed or negotiate a reasonable settlement. And here’s the best part: we’ll talk to the other lawyer so you don’t have to.
Connect with a Copyright Infringement Defense Lawyer Today
If you’ve gotten wind of any copyright infringement allegations against you – whether from a lawyer or an alleged copyright owner – the clock is ticking. Waiting to connect with an attorney can do serious damage to your chances of success, so we recommend that you reach out to one of our copyright defense attorneys. Though our copyright litigation team is primarily based in North Carolina and Virginia, our experienced copyright lawyers are able to help manage copyright infringement claims in all 50 states. No matter where you are, we’re here to help you fight for your best outcome.
Schedule your consult with an experienced copyright lawyer from Darkhorse Attorneys by filling out the form below:
