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

Those who wish to participate will be able to create and own their own digital likenesses, which the agency believes will help protect those clients against copyright infringement and allow talent to make more money. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

Collectors are now, apparently, willing to pay a premium for the rights to an idea, however easily that idea can be replicated in ways that skirt the line of copyright or design patent infringement. —Lilian Raji, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

However, some publishers, like The New York Times, The Intercept, and a group of Canadian outlets including the CBC, have sued OpenAI over allegations of copyright infringement. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2024

The company has been the target of lawsuits — including by the New York Times Co., which alleged the AI player engaged in massive copyright infringement by using the publication’s articles to train its systems. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 Dec. 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.