What is copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights held by a copyright owner, which are granted to him/her by law. These exclusive rights include the ability to reproduce the copyrighted work, create derivative works, and publicly display or distribute the work. In Virginia, a copyright infringement occurs when someone other than the copyright owner uses or reproduces a copyrighted work without the copyright owner’s permission, or in a manner that exceeds the copyright owner’s permissions. Copyright infringement can include, for example, duplicating a copyrighted work for sale or distribution without the copyright owner’s permission. If someone is found guilty of copyright infringement, they can be liable to pay damages for any economic losses suffered by the copyright holder. Depending on the circumstances, criminal penalties may also be imposed for cases of willful infringement. Examples of criminal penalties can include a fine or even jail time. In summary, copyright infringement is a serious offense, and can carry criminal and civil penalties, including fines and damages. It is important to always respect the exclusive rights of copyright owners, and to obtain permission to reproduce or use a copyrighted work.

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