Unauthorized use of your creative work is not just frustrating—it’s a violation of your legal rights. Whether it’s a photo, song, video, or design, your intellectual property deserves protection. If someone is using your work without your permission, here’s how you can take action to stop the misuse and recover damages.
Understanding Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized use occurs when someone uses your copyrighted material without your permission. Examples include:
- Posting your photos online without credit or approval
- Using your music in videos or ads without a license
- Reproducing your artwork for commercial purposes without consent
- Sharing or selling your designs as their own
These actions violate your exclusive rights as the copyright owner and can result in significant financial and reputational harm.
What You Can Do
If you suspect unauthorized use of your work, follow these steps:
- Document the Infringement
- Take screenshots or photos of the unauthorized use.
- Note where and when the work was used without permission.
- Collect any evidence that shows you are the rightful owner of the work.
- Consult an Attorney
- A skilled copyright attorney can assess your case and guide you through the legal process.
- File your federal copyright registration (required before filing a lawsuit).
- At Landry Legal, we specialize in protecting creators and businesses from unauthorized use of their work.
- Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter
- This formal notice informs the infringer of their violation and demands they stop using your work immediately.
- In many cases, this can resolve the issue without going to court.
- File a DMCA Takedown (If Applicable)
- For online infringements, a DMCA takedown request can help remove the unauthorized content quickly.
- Pursue Legal Action
- If the issue isn’t resolved, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to recover damages and ensure the infringement stops.
What Damages Can You Recover?
When you take legal action, you may be able to recover:
- Actual damages: Compensation for your financial losses caused by the infringement.
- Statutory damages: Fixed damages for each act of infringement, ranging from $750 to $30,000 (or up to $150,000 for willful infringement).
- Injunctions: Court orders to prevent further unauthorized use of your work.
- Attorney’s fees and costs: The infringer may be required to cover your legal expenses.
Why Choose Landry Legal?
At Landry Legal, we’re passionate about defending the rights of creators and businesses. Our team understands the complexities of copyright law and works tirelessly to achieve the best outcome for your case. From cease-and-desist letters to court representation, we’ll fight to protect your work and hold infringers accountable.
Don’t Wait—Act Now
The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be. If someone is using your work without your permission, contact Landry Legal today. We’re here to protect your rights and ensure your creative work is respected.
Call us now at 888-914-0011 to get started!
