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

Over 2,500 detections of infringement are included in the initial takedown notices. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025

The size of the penalties will depend on the infringement and size of the company fined. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025

The lawsuit claims infringement of copyright laws in the U.K. Australia, Canada and Ireland. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025

The operator is outside the US or cannot be determined to be within the US The website is primarily designed for infringement, has no commercially significant purpose other than infringement, or is intentionally marketed for infringing use. —Ars Technica, 29 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.