Denton Criminal Attorneys

Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement is also called copyright violation. It occurs when an individual’s intellectual or creative property rights are violated under the so-called copyright laws.

There are various ways by which copyright laws can be violated. Some are:

• Downloading music or movies off of the internet without paying the proper people for them.
• Distributing copyrighted material (such as music, movies, or books) without proper approval and consent, especially for some sort of personal gain.
• Copying someone’s idea(s) and marketing them as if they are one’s own.

These are only some of the ways by which copyright laws can be violated in the United States.

Regardless of how copyright laws are violated, however, in the United States it is a serious crime whenever they are violated. Unsurprisingly, companies and artists want to protect their property so that they, and only they, can benefit from them. There is an intricate system of laws and regulations to protect copyrights. Moreover, the United States has dedicated vast amounts of resources to law enforcement to combat copyright violation. As a result, although many people still violate copyrights today, a good number of people are caught violating.

Penalties for violation can be light or heavy. Sometimes, small fines and restrictions on property usage are all that result. Other times, penalties of several hundred thousand dollars, as well as jail time can result.

Speak with a Denton Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been accused of or charged with copyright infringement, contact the criminal defense attorneys of Alexander & Associates by calling 972-420-6560.