Copyright protection is important for any business that hires creative professionals, publishes original works or purchases original content from creatives. Copyright protections control who can use, duplicate and sell works such as photographs, essays, videos and songs. Organizations may formally register a copyright with the federal government to protect what they have invested in producing or acquiring that work.
Unfortunately, other parties may not respect their copyright protections the way that they should. Copyright infringement is somewhat common in the internet age and can do real damage to a company. It can be harder to monetize a work already released by others online. Reproduction and misuse of copyrighted creations can also damage an organization’s brand.
When a business with an interest in copyrighted works discovers infringement by an outside party, the organization may decide to take legal action. How can the civil courts help address copyright violations?
By awarding damages
As previously mentioned, the release, reproduction or use of copyrighted works can diminish their economic value. The company that produced or purchased the original work may no longer be able to generate the revenue it otherwise could because of the infringement.
Other times, copyright infringement could result in provable financial setbacks, including reduced revenue and brand damage. In such cases, the company that holds the copyright may be able to ask the courts for damages. An award of damages can offset the economic harm caused by copyright infringement and can create penalties for the infringing party.
By issuing an injunction
Sometimes, copyright holders discover infringement before it causes significant problems for the company. They may take legal action to ask the courts to enhance their protection. A civil court judge can issue an injunction forbidding additional copyright violations.
In fact, the courts can order the party in violation of copyright protections to remove products, social media posts and streaming offerings that violate the rights of the copyright holder. In some cases, it may be possible to secure financial damages and an injunction protecting against ongoing copyright infringements.
Particularly in scenarios where copyright infringement could damage a brand or reduce company revenue, taking timely action to fight back against intellectual property violations can be crucial for a copyright holder. The courts can provide several important forms of protection for organizations that have purchased or facilitated the creation of original works.
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