infringement
gb/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/ us/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
C1
English
~ 10000
megsértés, jogsértés
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
megsértés
B2
Usage pattern:
infringement of something; infringement on/upon something
The court said the searches were an infringement of the residents' rights.
A bíróság szerint a házkutatások a lakók jogainak megsértését jelentették.
Employees can report serious infringements of company policy anonymously.
A dolgozók névtelenül jelenthetik a vállalati szabályzat súlyos megsértéseit.
Critics called the new surveillance rules an infringement on personal privacy.
Learner examples
This rule is an infringement of our freedom.
Ez a szabály a szabadságunk megsértése.
They reported an infringement of safety rules.
Jelentették a biztonsági szabályok megsértését.
The policy felt like an infringement on privacy.
Common mistake:
Infringement is formal. In everyday speech, violation or breaking a rule is often more natural. Use infringement of a rule/right or infringement on privacy/freedom.
Meaning
violation of a rule or right
Themes
law
|business
|society
Definition
a formal word for breaking a rule or taking away someone's rights or freedom
an act of breaking a law, rule, agreement, or of wrongly limiting someone's rights, freedom, or privacy
NOUN
C1
LEGAL
2
jogsértés
C1
Usage pattern:
copyright/patent/trademark infringement; infringement of copyright/patent/trademark
The company sued a competitor for patent infringement.
A cég szabadalombitorlás miatt beperelte egy versenytársát.
Uploading the whole movie without permission may be copyright infringement.
Az egész film engedély nélküli feltöltése szerzői jogsértésnek minősülhet.
The seller removed the fake bags after a trademark infringement complaint.
Learner examples
The photo was removed for copyright infringement.
A fotót szerzői jogsértés miatt eltávolították.
Patent infringement can be very expensive.
A szabadalombitorlás nagyon költséges lehet.
They received a trademark infringement notice.
Common mistake:
Use copyright infringement, patent infringement, or trademark infringement. Do not say copyright's infringement.
Meaning
unauthorized use of protected work
Themes
law
|business
|technology
|arts_entertainment
Definition
using someone's protected work, invention, name, or design without permission
the illegal or unauthorized use of something protected by copyright, patent, trademark, or another intellectual property right
Grammar
Dictionary form
infringement
IPA
GB/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
US/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
Syllables & stress
in - fringe - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fringe)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: infringement
- Plural: infringement, infringements
Word family
Expressions
alleged infringement
7/əlˈɛd͡ʒd ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
claimed but unproved infringement
A possible infringement that someone says happened, but that has not been proven yet.
Examples
- The company denied the alleged infringement and promised to defend the case.
- The platform removed the listing while it investigated the alleged infringement.
- Lawyers sent a letter describing the alleged infringement in detail.
Learner examples
- The artist responded to the alleged infringement online.
- The university investigated the alleged infringement before taking action.
copyright infringement
1/kˈɑpiɹˌaɪt ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
Illegal use of protected work
Using someone else's work without permission when it is protected by law.
Examples
- The website was sued for copyright infringement after posting movies without permission.
- Copyright infringement can lead to heavy fines and legal action.
copyright infringement
2/kˈɑpiɹˌaɪt ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
unauthorized use of copyrighted work
Using someone else's book, song, video, image, or software without permission when copyright protects it.
Examples
- Uploading the entire film to a public website would be copyright infringement.
- The photographer sued the company for copyright infringement after it used her image in an ad.
- The platform removes videos when it receives valid copyright infringement complaints.
Learner examples
- Copying a song for a commercial video may be copyright infringement.
- The website was closed because of copyright infringement.
infringe on
1/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
interfere with a right or freedom
If something infringes on your rights or privacy, it wrongly affects or limits them.
Examples
- The new policy could infringe on employees' privacy.
- Local residents argued that the development would infringe on their right to enjoy the park.
- The law must protect public safety without infringing on free speech.
Learner examples
- The school should not infringe on students' privacy.
- Some people think the rule infringes on their freedom.
infringement of rights
3/ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt əv ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
formal
violation of rights
Something that unfairly takes away or limits rights people should have.
Examples
- Critics described the surveillance program as an infringement of citizens' rights.
- The court found that the ban was an infringement of religious freedom.
- Many employees saw the rule as an infringement of their right to organize.
Learner examples
- The new law may be an infringement of rights.
- They protested because they saw the policy as an infringement of workers' rights.
intellectual property infringement
6/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl pɹˈɑpɚti ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
violation of IP rights
Using protected ideas, designs, brands, inventions, or creative work without permission.
Examples
- Online marketplaces have systems for reporting intellectual property infringement.
- The agreement includes penalties for intellectual property infringement.
- The company trains employees to recognize and avoid intellectual property infringement.
Learner examples
- The seller was removed for intellectual property infringement.
- Businesses should take intellectual property infringement seriously.
patent infringement
1/pˈætənt ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
Illegal use of patented invention
When someone uses an invention that has a patent without permission.
Examples
- The company was sued for patent infringement after copying the design.
- Patent infringement can result in heavy fines and legal action.
patent infringement
4/pˈætənt ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
unauthorized use of patented invention
Using or selling someone else's patented invention without permission.
Examples
- The tech company was ordered to pay damages for patent infringement.
- The startup checked the design carefully to avoid patent infringement.
- A patent infringement lawsuit can be extremely expensive for both sides.
Learner examples
- The company was accused of patent infringement.
- They changed the product design to avoid patent infringement.
trademark infringement
1/tɹˈeɪdmˌɑɹk ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
Illegal use of protected brand name/logo
When someone uses another company's protected name or logo without permission.
Examples
- The court found the company guilty of trademark infringement.
- Trademark infringement can lead to heavy fines.
trademark infringement
5/tɹˈeɪdmˌɑɹk ɪnfɹˈɪnd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
legal
unauthorized use of protected mark
Using another company's protected name, logo, or symbol in a way that can confuse customers.
Examples
- The small shop received a warning letter alleging trademark infringement.
- Using a logo that looks almost identical could amount to trademark infringement.
- The court ruled that the packaging created a risk of trademark infringement.
Learner examples
- The business changed its name to avoid trademark infringement.
- Selling fake products with a famous logo is trademark infringement.