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

Image The New York Times Company has sued OpenAI for copyright infringement. —Edmund Lee, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Judge Aileen Cannon is requiring Taylor Swift to respond to the woman suing her for copyright infringement by Thursday. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

This foundation of infringement complicates AI’s integration into entertainment. —Virginie Berger, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

But not all see the kayak dock as an infringement on the neighborhood. —Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 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.