infringement
violation of a rule or right
a formal word for breaking a rule or taking away someone's rights or freedom
infringement of something; infringement on/upon something
- The court said the searches were an infringement of the residents' rights.
- Employees can report serious infringements of company policy anonymously.
- Critics called the new surveillance rules an infringement on personal privacy.
- This rule is an infringement of our freedom.
- They reported an infringement of safety rules.
- The policy felt like an infringement on privacy.
unauthorized use of protected work
using someone's protected work, invention, name, or design without permission
copyright/patent/trademark infringement; infringement of copyright/patent/trademark
- The company sued a competitor for patent infringement.
- Uploading the whole movie without permission may be copyright infringement.
- The seller removed the fake bags after a trademark infringement complaint.
- The photo was removed for copyright infringement.
- Patent infringement can be very expensive.
- They received a trademark infringement notice.
- Base: infringement
- Plural: infringement, infringements
alleged infringement
7claimed but unproved infringement
A possible infringement that someone says happened, but that has not been proven yet.
- 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.
copyright infringement
1Illegal use of protected work
Using someone else's work without permission when it is protected by law.
- The website was sued for copyright infringement after posting movies without permission.
- Copyright infringement can lead to heavy fines and legal action.
copyright infringement
2unauthorized use of copyrighted work
Using someone else's book, song, video, image, or software without permission when copyright protects it.
- 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.
infringe on
1interfere with a right or freedom
If something infringes on your rights or privacy, it wrongly affects or limits them.
- 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.
infringement of rights
3violation of rights
Something that unfairly takes away or limits rights people should have.
- 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.
intellectual property infringement
6violation of IP rights
Using protected ideas, designs, brands, inventions, or creative work without permission.
- 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.
patent infringement
1Illegal use of patented invention
When someone uses an invention that has a patent without permission.
- The company was sued for patent infringement after copying the design.
- Patent infringement can result in heavy fines and legal action.
patent infringement
4unauthorized use of patented invention
Using or selling someone else's patented invention without permission.
- 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.
trademark infringement
1Illegal use of protected brand name/logo
When someone uses another company's protected name or logo without permission.
- The court found the company guilty of trademark infringement.
- Trademark infringement can lead to heavy fines.
trademark infringement
5unauthorized use of protected mark
Using another company's protected name, logo, or symbol in a way that can confuse customers.
- 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.