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infringement

noun

/ɪnˈfrɪndʒ mənt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of infringement

The act of violating or breaching a legal or moral principle, right, or privilege, typically relating to intellectual property, copyrights, patents, or trademarks.
"The company filed a lawsuit against their competitor for copyright infringement."

Detailed meaning of infringement

It signifies the unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of someone else's protected work without obtaining proper permission or license. Infringement encompasses actions that encroach upon the exclusive rights of individuals or entities, undermining their ownership or control over their creations or inventions. It can occur in various forms, such as copying, plagiarizing, imitating, or exploiting someone's original ideas, artistic expressions, designs, or inventions. Infringement often leads to legal disputes, where the affected party seeks remedies, including injunctions, damages, or the cessation of the infringing activities. Safeguarding against infringement is crucial for upholding the integrity of intellectual property and maintaining a fair and equitable environment for creators and innovators.

Example sentences containing infringement

1. Using someone else's trademark without permission is an infringement of their intellectual property rights.
2. The artist discovered an infringement of their artwork when they saw an identical piece being sold online.
3. The software developer warned users about the potential infringement of their software licenses.
4. The court ruled in favor of the author, finding the publisher guilty of plagiarism and copyright infringement.
5. The company hired a team of lawyers to protect their patents and prevent any infringement by competitors.
6. The musician was devastated to discover an infringement of their song, as it had been illegally sampled in another artist's track.

History and etymology of infringement

The noun 'infringement' has its etymological roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'infringere,' which is formed from 'in' (meaning 'not') and 'frangere' (meaning 'to break' or 'to violate'). Therefore, the etymology of 'infringement' essentially means 'the act of not breaking' or 'the act of violating or breaching.' Originally, it was used in a general sense to describe any violation or breach of legal or moral principles. Over time, the term became particularly associated with the violation of intellectual property rights, such as copyrights, patents, or trademarks, reflecting the notion of breaking or not adhering to the legal protections and privileges associated with these forms of creative and innovative work, as we understand it in contemporary legal and ethical contexts.

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Further usage examples of infringement

1. The photographer filed a complaint against a website that had used their images without permission, claiming copyright infringement.
2. The movie studio cracked down on piracy, suing individuals involved in the unauthorized infringement and distribution of their films.
3. The designer issued cease and desist letters to companies found guilty of trademark infringement by using a similar logo.
4. The author's legal team sent a notice to a blogger who had published significant portions of the author's book without permission, alleging copyright infringement.
5. The technology company invested heavily in cybersecurity measures to prevent data breaches and infringement of their users' privacy.
6. Copyright infringement can result in severe legal consequences.
7. Protecting intellectual property rights prevents infringement.
8. Infringement of patents stifles innovation and competition.
9. The artist filed a lawsuit over copyright infringement.
10. Plagiarism is a form of intellectual property infringement.
11. Trademark infringement can harm a brand's reputation.
12. Infringement on privacy rights is a growing concern.
13. Piracy is a widespread issue in copyright infringement.
14. Software piracy leads to copyright infringement claims.
15. Counterfeit products often involve trademark infringement.
16. Infringement of civil liberties should not be tolerated.
17. The company faced allegations of patent infringement.
18. Infringement lawsuits can be financially devastating.
19. Vigilance is crucial to prevent copyright infringement.
20. Infringement cases are decided by a judge and jury.
21. Artists should be vigilant about copyright infringement.
22. Infringement on personal space can cause distress.
23. The company was accused of trademark infringement.
24. Infringement of human rights is a global concern.
25. Copyright infringement undermines creators' efforts.