What is copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement occurs when a person uses material that is protected by copyright law, without the permission of the copyright owner. This includes copying, distributing, displaying, performing, or making derivative works of the original copyrighted material. In Florida, copyright infringement is a violation of federal law, but it can also be a violation of state common law. Copyright infringement can result in civil or criminal penalties, such as fines or jail time. In Florida, perpetrators can be subject to statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement, depending on the degree of damage caused. Florida also allows for the successful plaintiff to recover attorney’s fees and costs in addition to damages. Copyright infringement can also include using someone else’s work without making any changes, or by changing it (known as “derivative works”) only slightly. This type of infringement is known as “willful infringement.” It is important to ensure that any use of someone else’s work is done with permission. Companies that specialize in intellectual property law can help to determine the extent of protection for a certain work.

Related FAQs

Are there any international conventions or treaties in force that protect intellectual property?
What is a trade dress infringement?
What is the difference between a patent and a trade secret?
What is the process for obtaining international intellectual property protection?
What is the scope of copyright protection?
How can I enforce my intellectual property rights if I am based outside the US?
What is the Fair Use Doctrine?
Are there any advantages to registering a copyright?
What are the different types of intellectual property?
What is the copyright registration process?

What is copyright infringement?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts