What is a copyright troll?

A copyright troll is someone who purchases a copyright from another person, then uses it to threaten legal action against another person in order to get money from them. They generally do this without having any real intention of actually taking the case to court. They might demand an exorbitant sum of money in exchange for not pursuing legal action. In California, copyright trolls may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. Under the California Business and Professions Code §17200, copyright trolls may be liable for unfair and deceptive business practices, including false or misleading advertising. They may also be subject to civil penalties for unfair competition under California Business and Professions Code §17203. Additionally, copyright trolls might be liable for fraud, including the use of false or misleading statements intended to deceive someone into paying money. It is important to note that any copyright infringement is illegal, so anyone using other people’s intellectual property without permission can be subject to legal action. Copyright trolls often attempt to use this to their advantage by threatening litigation without actually taking the case to court. It is important to protect your own work and any intellectual property you might use, as well as be aware of potential copyright infringements and the potential actions of copyright trolls.

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