Copyright Infringement Monitoring

Copyright infringement is when someone uses the protected work of a copyright owner without permission or legal authority. This includes reproduction, distribution, display, or creation of a derivative work.

A copyright infringement is considered valid when it ticks off all three points below:

• Ownership of a valid copyright

• Indisputable evidence that copyrighted materials from an original work were copied

• Lack of exclusive rights to use the copyrighted work

The most common form of copyright infringement is the copying and distribution of digital media, such as software, movies, and music. This frequently takes place through peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms, where users can upload and download copyrighted content without the authorization of the copyright owner.

Yes, infringing the rights set by the copyright law is illegal and can lead to civil and criminal penalties. Though, the copyright law differs from country to country. 

For instance, in the United States, under the federal law, a copyright holder can seek damages for copyright infringement in civil court, including actual damages, statutory damages, court fees, and attorney fees. Furthermore, the infringer can be tried in a criminal court when it is apparent the copyright infringement of intellectual property was wilful and for commercial or monetary gain. Eventually, this can lead to imprisonment and fines.