What are the legal consequences of a copyright infringement?
April 12, 2022 | 80,00 EUR | answered by Renate Germer
Dear Business Lawyer,
I am reaching out to you because I recently discovered that my company may have infringed on copyrights. As the managing director of Arturs Autohaus GmbH, a few months ago I had a new website created that used images and text that may not be free of copyright.
I have since learned that a violation of copyright can have serious legal consequences, and I am very concerned about my company. In the worst case scenario, it could lead to a warning or even a lawsuit for copyright infringement, which could not only have financial consequences but also damage the reputation of my company.
So my question to you is: What are the legal consequences of copyright infringement and how can I protect my company from these consequences? Are there ways to limit the damage or reach an agreement with the copyright owners? And what specific steps should I take as a managing director now to clarify the situation and avoid legal problems?
Thank you in advance for your help and I look forward to your professional advice.
Sincerely,
Artur Hofstetter, Managing Director of Arturs Autohaus GmbH
Dear Mr. Hofstetter,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding possible copyright infringements in your company. It is very important to be aware of this issue and to respond appropriately in order to avoid legal consequences.
A violation of copyrights can indeed have serious legal consequences. Copyright infringements can have both civil and criminal consequences. In case of a civil dispute, the copyright owners can claim damages, which may consist of a licensing fee or a reasonable compensation for the use of the copyrighted material. In addition, injunction claims and reimbursement of legal costs may be at stake.
To protect your company from these consequences, it is important to first conduct a comprehensive review of the images and texts used on the website. If a copyright infringement is indeed identified, you should immediately contact the copyright owners and try to reach an agreement. In many cases, an out-of-court settlement is possible, for example by paying a reasonable compensation or issuing a cease and desist declaration.
It is also advisable to ensure that only images and texts for which the corresponding usage rights have been acquired or that are free of copyrights are used for future content on your website. In this regard, a lawyer specializing in business law can assist you in legally designing your website.
As a managing director, you should take the matter seriously and act promptly to resolve the legal issues and avoid further consequences. Do not hesitate to consult a lawyer specializing in business law, who can assist you with their expertise.
I hope this information is helpful and I am available for any further questions.
Sincerely,
Renate Germer, Lawyer specializing in business law
