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

Each claim can be worth up to $30,000 per work and, with willful infringement, $150,000 per work. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2025

Negotiations continued until December 2020, when Ms. Paige was hit with an unexpected 100-plus page lawsuit from JLM Couture, claiming trademark infringement, violation of the noncompete agreement, and the promoting of other companies without the brand’s permission. —Alix Strauss, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Using drones could lead to diplomatic tensions with Mexico, which may view such actions as an infringement on its sovereignty. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

The sports juggernaut has battled other companies in court for any traces of three-stripe infringement, including Skechers in 2016 and Forever 21 in 2017. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for infringement

• impingement

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.