A more thorough explanation:
Copyright infringement is when someone violates the exclusive rights of a copyright owner. This can include:
- Copying or distributing a copyrighted work without permission
- Creating a derivative work based on a copyrighted work without permission
- Performing or displaying a copyrighted work publicly without permission
- Importing copies of a copyrighted work into the United States without permission
For example, if someone makes copies of a book or movie and sells them without permission from the copyright owner, that is copyright infringement.
There are different types of copyright infringement:
- Direct infringement: when someone directly violates a copyright owner's exclusive rights
- Contributory infringement: when someone helps or encourages someone else to infringe on a copyright
- Vicarious infringement: when someone is responsible for someone else's infringement, even if they didn't directly participate
- Criminal infringement: when someone willfully infringes on a copyright for financial gain or traffics in goods or services that bear a counterfeit mark
It's important to respect the rights of copyright owners and get permission before using their work. Otherwise, you could face legal consequences for copyright infringement.