What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement is when someone uses a copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright owner. This means that the unauthorized use of someone else’s work is illegal under copyright law. In California, copyright laws are determined by the U.S. Copyright Office and enforced by the Federal Court System. Copyright infringement is a serious offense and can have significant consequences. The copyright holder is able to take legal action against an individual or agency who they believe has illegally used their work. This could include anything from receiving a cease-and-desist letter to being sued in court, resulting in a financial penalty and/or an injunction preventing further infringement. Copyright infringement is a form of theft, and it’s important to be aware of the risks. It’s essential to understand that the idea of a work is separate from the physical representation of the work. For example, a story may be original, but if someone else wrote it down in a book, the story is copyrighted and not able to be used without permission. To avoid copyright infringement, always check that you have permission from the copyright holder before using or reproducing any copyrighted work.
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