Legal Definitions - copyright infringement

Copyright infringement is when someone violates the exclusive rights of a copyright owner. This can include:

• Copying or distributing a copyrighted work without permission
• Creating a derivative workbased on a copyrighted work without permission
• Performing or displaying a copyrighted work publicly without permission
• Importing copies of a copyrighted work into the United States without permission

For example, if someone makes copies of a book or movie and sells them without permission from the copyright owner, that is copyright infringement.

There are different types of copyright infringement:

• Direct infringement: when someone directly violates a copyright owner's exclusive rights
• Contributory infringement: when someone helps or encourages someone else to infringe on a copyright
• Vicarious infringement: when someone is responsible for someone else's infringement, even if they didn't directly participate
• Criminal infringement: when someone willfully infringes on a copyright for financial gain or traffics in goods or services that bear a counterfeit mark

It's important to respect the rights of copyright owners and get permission before using their work. Otherwise, you could face legal consequences for copyright infringement.