Legal Definitions - infringement

Definition: Infringement is when someone violates a law or a right, or does something without permission. This can happen in many different situations, such as breaking a contract or using someone else's invention without their permission.

For example, if a company sells a product that is protected by a patent without getting permission from the patent owner, they are committing patent infringement. This means they are using the invention without the owner's permission, which is against the law.

If someone is harmed by an infringement, they can take legal action against the person who caused the harm. The person who caused the harm is called the defendant, and the person who was harmed is called the plaintiff. If the court decides that an infringement did occur, they will order the defendant to make things right for the plaintiff.

In the case of a patent infringement, the patent holder can recover damages from the infringer, such as lost profits and attorney fees. However, before a court can determine if an infringement has occurred, they must first determine if the patent is valid. If the patent is not valid, then there can be no infringement.

Overall, infringement is a serious matter that can have legal consequences. It is important to respect the rights of others and to always get permission before using someone else's work or invention.