What is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright laws are constantly changing. Knowing exactly what copyright infringement is, whether you're creating an eBook, publishing articles, using music as a backtrack to your podcast, is important. Although copyright laws change from one jurisdiction to another, knowing the basic rules of copyright infringement will ensure you're following the proper rules of engagement when you create your works. Before you make any final decisions regarding the use of a work that has been copyrighted, always contact a copyright attorney to ensure you're following the law -- this will keep you from being sued or, even worse, punished in a court of law.

What is Copyright Infringement?

Copyright infringement, as defined by Wikipedia.org, states: "Copyright infringement (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized use of material that is protected by intellectual property rights law particularly the copyright in a manner that violates one of the original copyright owner's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works that build upon it. The slang term bootleg (derived from the use of the shank of a boot for the purposes of smuggling) is often used to describe illicitly copied material."

So, what is copyright infringement in plain English? It means if you're not allowed to use something, then don't use it -- plain and simple. It can be very simple to get permission to use a work -- many times you'll be able to use a "sample" of music or an excerpt of writing for a nominal fee, or a small attribution. However, if you do not have the permission of the copyright holder -- whether it's an author or a publishing house -- you can be sued for copyright infringement or worse.

What is Copyright Infringement in America?