infringers

An infringer is a person or entity that violates the rights of others by unlawfully using or exploiting protected works or assets. The term is used across domains such as copyright, patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, as well as other property rights. In common usage, an infringer may copy, reproduce, distribute, or sell protected material without authorization, or use a mark in ways that could mislead consumers or dilute brand value.

Common forms of infringement include copyright infringement (unauthorized copying or distribution of books, music, films, software), patent infringement (manufacturing or selling a patented invention without permission), trademark infringement (unauthorized use of a mark that risks consumer confusion), and trade secret misappropriation. Plagiarism is considered a related form of infringement in academic or professional contexts. Depending on the jurisdiction and the act, penalties may be civil, criminal, or both, with remedies such as damages, disgorgement of profits, injunctions, or confiscation of infringing goods.

Enforcement mechanisms vary by legal system. Rights holders may pursue civil lawsuits, seek injunctions, or claim damages; authorities may impose criminal penalties for certain large-scale or commercial infringements. In the digital realm, platforms may implement notice-and-takedown procedures, while defenses such as fair use or fair dealing can limit liability in some jurisdictions. Definitions of infringement and the status of an infringer are context-dependent and subject to evolving laws and enforcement practices.