infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment in-ˈfrinj-mənt 

1

: the act of infringing : violation

2

: an encroachment or trespass on a right or privilege

Synonyms

• breach
• contravention
• infraction
• transgression
• trespass
• violation

Examples of infringement in a Sentence

any government action limiting freedom of speech is an infringement of the U.S. Constitution

Recent Examples on the Web

Once again, fast-fashion giant Shein stands accused of copyright infringement. —Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

The case was partially dismissed in February, per Reuters, with Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín rejecting claims of copyright infringement and that the businesses unjustly enriched themselves through other people’s work. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 15 Apr. 2024

Since then, more than 90,000 domains used by over 27,000 websites engaged in copyright infringement have been taken down, said MPA general counsel Karyn Temple in testimony before legislators last year, who noted that piracy cost the economy up to 560,000 jobs. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Apr. 2024

If the courts allow such an infringement, the consequences for immigrants—and Texans of color who could be profiled as immigrants—would be devastating. —TIME, 5 Apr. 2024

The company is facing a number of high-profile lawsuits alleging copyright infringement, including one brought by The New York Times and several brought by different groups of fiction and nonfiction authors, including big names like George R.R. Martin. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024

Carlin’s estate sued under California’s right of publicity law, and also for copyright infringement under federal law. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Apr. 2024

Among the possible penalties outlined in the directive are a public statement indicating the company responsible and the nature of the infringement and fines upwards of 5% of the net worldwide turnover of the company. —Mary Foley, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

But the risk of serious copyright infringement rises when entire songs or shows are posted online, especially if the accounts monetize their content. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Legal Definition

infringement

noun

in·​fringe·​ment

: the act or an instance of infringing

especially : the unauthorized use of copyrighted or patented material or of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress see also equivalent, fair use

Note: Infringement of a trademark, trade name, or trade dress involves use of one by the infringer that is the same as that of the owner or so similar that it is likely to deceive or to cause confusion or mistake on the part of the average purchaser. Infringement of a copyright involves the copying of a material and substantial portion of the protected work. If the alleged infringer denies copying, the copyright holder may be able to prove infringement with circumstantial evidence of the infringer's access to the protected work and of similarities between the two works.