Copyright protection is critical for a company’s monetization of original works of art or writing. Whether the business hired professionals to produce a short marketing video or purchased a work of art from an independent creator, copyright protection helps ensure that the company can make use of original creative works.
Copyrighted works are under the control of the copyright holder, and outside parties should not distribute or attempt to monetize works owned by a company. Even in cases where the company didn’t formally register the work, the publication of the creation can make it eligible for general copyright protections.
Copyright infringement can diminish the financial returns generated by original creative works and can dilute a company’s brand. Litigation is often necessary to address copyright infringement. What remedies are available after infringing activities?
A civil injunction
Frequently, plaintiffs attempting to enforce copyright protection ask the civil courts for an injunction. An injunction can prohibit continued copyright infringement and make it easier to hold the infringing party accountable for continued misconduct.
A judge can even order the removal of infringing goods from store shelves or social media posts from online platforms. Injunctions can play a critical role in protecting a company’s copyrighted creations.
An award of damages
Copyright infringement can diminish the ability to profit from creative works. Infringement can also alter how people view a brand or an original creation. It is possible to request damages based on the loss of sales or consumer goodwill generated by copyright infringement.
There may be other remedies available as well, depending on the situation and the nature of the copyright infringement. Reviewing the infringing activities with a legal professional can help frustrated business leaders recognize when a business lawsuit is the right response to copyright violations.