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

Diplomatic Headache Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has criticized the FTO designation as a potential infringement on Mexican sovereignty. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Griner’s attorney told the campaign to take the image down and sued for copyright infringement after King would not agree to pay for the unauthorized use. —Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025

The suits seek unspecified damages, restitution of profits, and an order from Stein requiring Microsoft and OpenAI to refrain from copyright infringement. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025

Woodall seeks as damages 2.5 percent of Moana's gross revenue, equivalent to $10 billion, and a court order affirming his copyright and barring further infringement. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 13 Jan. 2025

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.