infringes

Infringes is the third-person singular present tense of the verb infringe, meaning to violate, breach, or transgress a law, regulation, contract, or right. In legal contexts, the term describes actions that exceed permitted use or authority and unlawfully encroach on another party’s interests. Infringement can be civil, criminal, or both, depending on the nature of the violated right and the jurisdiction.

In intellectual property law, infringes commonly arise in several areas. Copyright infringement occurs when a protected work is reproduced, distributed, performed, displayed, or created as a derivative work without authorization from the rights holder. Patent infringement involves making, using, selling, or offering to sell a patented invention without permission. Trademark infringement happens when a mark that is identical or confusingly similar is used in commerce in a way that is likely to mislead consumers about source or sponsorship. Other domains include trade secrets and industrial designs, where unauthorized use or disclosure can also constitute infringement.

Remedies for infringement typically aim to stop the violation and compensate the harmed party. Civil remedies may include injunctions to halt the infringing activity, damages for losses or unjust enrichment, and, in some systems, attorney’s fees or enhanced damages for willful infringement. In certain cases, criminal penalties can apply, such as for severe copyright piracy or counterfeiting.

Common defenses include lack of valid rights, non-infringing use, authorization or licensing, and, in some contexts, doctrines like fair use or fair dealing. The legal standards for infringement vary by jurisdiction and rights involved, but the core concept remains the same: acts that violate someone else’s legally protected rights are treated as infringes.