We have knowledge and experience in handling online copyright issues and Internet copyright disputes.  Whether someone has copied the contents of your website, has posted your copyrighted photos, music, or other creative works or whether you receive a copyright infringement cease and desist notice or are served with a lawsuit, we can provide you with Internet law assistance.  Attorney Domingo J. Rivera is a Computer Engineer with advanced knowledge in Internet technology.  Mr. Rivera also has an M.B.A. and advanced experience in managing complex technology projects for the Department of Defense.

Many Internet copyright infringement disputes arise when someone copies website text or code from another website. The perpetrator may copy the entire website or parts of it.  Effective handling of Internet copyright legal issues calls for the experience of an attorney who not only understands copyright laws, but who also understands Internet technology and Internet business competition.

As Internet copyright infringement attorneys, we understand the application of copyright laws to the Internet in order to swiftly and effectively shut down an infringing website or initiate appropriate Internet copyright infringement legal action.  We can also assist you to restore your website if it has been shutdown because of allegations of Internet copyright infringement.  We can advise you about the fair use and other applicable defenses.

We are also experienced in the interpretation and application of the U.S. Copyright Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and the circumvention of copy prevention measures. In the Internet age, the circumvention of technical protection measures can be actionable, even in the absence of actual copyright infringement in the traditional sense.  Criminal prosecutors who may not have the necessary proof to charge an individual with actual criminal copyright infringement may get around that by charging conspiracy to commit a crime (copyright infringement) instead.  Under those circumstances, the prosecutor does not even have to prove actual infringement.  Proving an agreement combined with an “overt act” is sufficient.

Some other important Internet copyright issues that we frequently encounter include:

Web Development Agreement copyright issues – Unless there is an agreement to the contrary, the creator of a website is the owner of the copyrightable elements of the website. These include the text, graphics, scripts, code, and the look and feel. In the absence of a well-written website development agreement, your developer will own the code developed for your website, and may even hold your website hostage or sue you for copyright infringement! Our online copyright attorneys are prepared to assist you with drafting website development contracts that adequately protect your rights.

Third-party posting copyright issues – You may be held legally liable for content posted by third-parties on your website. Our online copyright attorneys are experts in issues related to online copyright infringement, contributory copyright infringement and vicarious copyright infringement. Your cyber copyright lawyer from our firm can provide you advice on how to avoid liability online copyright infringement, contributory copyright infringement and vicarious copyright infringement.

Somebody stole the contents of your website – When this happens, you need an Internet lawyer who can provide you with a quick response to protect you online business from this serious type of copyright infringement. Whether the best approach to resolve your Internet copyright infringement matter is to issue a cease and desist notice, a Digital Millennium Copyright Act Takedown Notice, the filing of a lawsuit, other techniques, or a combination of tactics, our online copyright infringement lawyers can assist you in protecting one of your business’ most important assets: your business’ website.

Our Internet copyright infringement attorneys are experts in stopping Internet copyright infringement and protecting your intellectual property.  We frequently deal with Internet copyright infringement issues, for example:

• A competitor copies the entirety of a business’ website, only changing the company’s name and contact information.  Many customers are confused and believe that the businesses are somehow affiliated.  Intervention from an Internet copyright infringement and intellectual property attorney is required to keep the competitor from continuing its intellectual property infringing conduct.
• Our client was notified by the Internet Service Provider (Comcast) that a subpoena had been issue for the our client’s identity.  The case involved allegations of copyright infringement of certain movies through Bit Torrent software. We filed a successful Motion to Quash the subpoena.  Read more about bit torrent copyright infringement defense.
• Our client’s private copyrighted photos were posted on various amateur pornographic websites. The hosting company refused our client’s initial attempts to get the pictures removed from the website, necessitating our Internet lawyer assistance.
• We were retained by a client whose computer was hacked while he utilized a hotel’s wi-fi connection. The hacker stole his copyrighted photographs and videos and posted them into various websites, adversely affecting our client’s intellectual property rights,  reputation and future Internet business plans.
• After competitor refuses to remove website contents unlawfully copied from a company’s website.  The competitor argues that because the company did not register the contents, the website is not protected against the infringing conduct.  The assistance of a copyright infringement attorney is necessary to stop the competitor from further infringement under its incorrect interpretation of copyright and intellectual property laws.
• A business receives a cease and desist letter accusing it of Internet copyright infringement.  The contents allegedly infringed do not meet the requirements necessary to be entitled to copyright protection.  An Internet copyright lawyer intervenes to stop the bullying and idle threats of litigation from the attorney sending the cease and desist letter.
• A business’ website is taken down as a result of false accusations of copyright infringement and DMCA website takedown demands.  Prompt action is required to restore the website and secure the survival of the business.
• Our client was accused of being the leader of the most prolific Internet music piracy group in the world.  The charge consisted of conspiracy to commit copyright Infringement.  The charges were initially brought in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia located in Alexandria, Virginia.  The trial took place in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, located in Houston, Texas.  Our client elected to have is case tried by a Federal Jury.  Our technical knowledge assisted us in providing competent legal representation and bringing the case to a successful resolution.  Read More…

Whether you are an Internet Service Provider or an individual or business who is the victim of online copyright infringement, or whether you are accused of online copyright infringement, our copyright attorneys practicing in Internet law can help.

A copyright is the legal protection for the artistic and literary work that you create. Copyrightable items include music, books, websites, graphics, poetry, stories, and software. Your copyrighted works may not be copied, reproduced, distributed or displayed without your consent.

Registration, although not required is advisable and important if you wish to protect your work. Copyright registration provides significant benefits, including evidence that you created your own works. It is significantly more difficult to maintain a legal action for copyright infringement when you have not obtained a copyright registration for your works and have to prove to a court that you actually created your own work.

Additionally, there are advantages in case you are faced with litigation. For example, if you are forced into litigation to protect your copyright rights, a court may award significant damages for copyright infringement, including statutory damages of up to $150,000, and reimbursement for your attorney’s fees and costs for the infringement of your copyright rights.  However, under U.S. Copyright Laws, you obtain a copyright to your works the moment your works are created and registration is not required to maintain a cause of action for trademark infringement.  If your copyright is not registered, you will need to prove actual damages, as opposed to the presumed statutory damages provided for works protected by a registered copyright.

Even if your website is not registered, your content is still protected under U.S. Copyright Laws and you can maintain an action for Internet copyright infringement. As you Internet copyright infringement attorney, we understand Internet copyright laws,  U.S. Copyright Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and the application of copyright laws to Internet copyright matters.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), codified in 17 U.S.C. § 512, amended the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. The DMCA provides for severe civil and criminal penalties for circumventing technical measures protecting copyrighted works. The DMCA protects Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from liability arising from acts by the ISP’s customers. However, there are certain conditions that an ISP must meet in order to qualify for the Act’s safe harbor provisions.

To enjoy safe harbor protection, an ISP must:

1. Implement a policy to terminate infringers;

2. Designate a service provider agent for notification of claims of infringement.

3. Provide means to receive notice of infringement and upon obtaining notice act expeditiously to remove, or disable access to the infringing material; and

4. Have no actual knowledge of the infringing activity.

Whether you are an Internet Service Provider or an individual or business who is the victim of online copyright infringement, or whether you are accused of online copyright infringement, our copyright attorneys  practicing Internet law can provide you with the advice that applies to your particular situation.

If you are accused of criminal copyright infringement, you need experienced and competent legal representation. A cybercrime defense lawyer with our firm can assist you.