A proprietor may bring an action or assert a counterclaim against a copyright owner or performing rights society to enjoin any violation of this chapter and to recover any damages sustained by the proprietor as a result of a violation of this chapter. If successful, the proprietor is entitled to recover treble damages, together with filing fees and reasonable costs of suit, in addition to any other legal or equitable relief.

If a proprietor prevails in a cause of action alleging a willful violation of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 21753, the prevailing proprietor shall be awarded reasonable attorney’s fees.

Need help reviewing a copyright? Chat with an attorney and protect your rights.

Terms Used In California Business and Professions Code 21755

  • Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Subdivision: means a subdivision of the section in which that term occurs, unless some other section is expressly mentioned. See California Business and Professions Code 15

(Added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 340, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1997.)