Copyright Infringement

Also known as copyright violation, copyright infringement occurs when someone uses another person’s creative material, such as writing or music, illegally as per copyright law. Copyright infringement has a large history and today, it is as abundant as ever.

There are a number of ways by which copyright infringement can occur. Someone can take another person’s written material and make copies of it, distributing it for free. A similar act can be done with movies and music. In the case of such entertainment, piracy is rampant thanks to such programs as Kazaa and Limewire.

Copyright infringement is not limited to books, movies, and music. It can also extend to areas like plush toys. If someone creates a toy to look like something made by another company and sells it as such, then that is copyright infringement.

Copyright infringement can carry serious penalties. Aside from jail time, those found guilty of copyright infringement have to pay large amounts of fines, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars if not more.

A lot of copyright infringement occurs in college. When students are caught illegally sharing music, for example, the record company will ask them to stop and pay a fine, which usually totals several thousands of dollars. If students refuse, then the record company pursues legal action, and the cost of settling the case skyrockets.

Speak with a Milwaukee Criminal Defense Lawyer

Copyright infringement is a serious crime. If you have been accused or charged with copyright infringement, contact the Milwaukee criminal defense lawyers of Hart Powell, S.C. by calling (414) 271-9595.

Written by Michael Hart & Craig Powell

Last Updated : January 13, 2016