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Infringing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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infringing

[ɪnˈfrɪndʒɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal

Acting in a way that violates a law or a rule. Infringing can refer to intellectual property rights, copyrights, patents, or trademarks.

Synonyms

breaching, trespassing, violating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infringing

Use this when someone is encroaching on someone's rights, intellectual property, or personal space.

  • The company was sued for infringing on the patent rights of the smaller business
  • She felt her personal space was being infringed upon
violating

This word applies to breaking rules, laws, or moral codes and often carries a negative connotation.

  • He was arrested for violating the city's ordinances
  • She felt that her privacy was being violated during the investigation
breaching

This word is appropriate for situations involving the breaking of laws, agreements, or promises.

  • By not delivering the goods on time, the supplier was breaching the contract
  • His actions were seen as breaching the company's code of conduct
trespassing

This is used when someone enters someone's property without permission.

  • The signs clearly stated 'No Trespassing
  • ' She was caught trespassing on private land

Examples of usage

  • The company was sued for infringing on a competitor's patent.
  • He was found guilty of infringing on the artist's copyright.
  • If you continue infringing on these trademarks, legal action will be taken.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To encroach or trespass on someone else's rights or territory, often in a non-legal sense.

Synonyms

encroach, intrude, trespass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
infringing

Used typically in legal contexts, especially regarding the violation of laws, rights, or regulations.

  • He was fined for infringing on copyright laws.
  • The company was sued for infringing the patent.
encroach

Generally used when someone or something gradually takes over another's territory, space, rights, or activities.

  • The new building encroaches on the park area.
  • She felt her personal space was being encroached upon.
trespass

Used mainly in legal or formal contexts, referring to entering someone's property without permission. This word often carries a negative connotation.

  • The sign warns that anyone trespassing will be prosecuted.
  • They were caught trespassing on private land.
intrude

Often used when someone enters a place or situation where they are not welcome or wanted, possibly causing annoyance.

  • I don't want to intrude on your private conversation.
  • He intruded into the meeting uninvited.

Examples of usage

  • Please do not infringe on my personal space.
  • She felt that her colleagues were infringing on her responsibilities.
  • The new regulations are seen as infringing on individual freedoms.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, infringing often relates to copyright, where using someone else's work without permission is not allowed.
  • Trademark infringement occurs when one brand uses a name or symbol that's very similar to another brand's, which can confuse customers.
  • Patent laws protect inventors, and infringing a patent means making, using, or selling an invention without permission.

Social Norms

  • Infringing can also refer to violating social norms, like interrupting someone while they're talking or invading their personal space.
  • Cultural expectations might differ; what's considered infringing in one culture might be normal in another.

Technology

  • The digital age sees a rise in issues of infringing relating to software and online content, where many unknowingly breach copyright laws.
  • Technological advancements like file sharing can lead to increased rates of infringement, causing serious consequences for individuals and companies.

Psychology

  • Infringing on someone's boundaries can lead to feelings of discomfort or anger, impacting relationships.
  • Understanding the psychology behind boundaries can help reduce cases of infringement in personal and professional settings.

Pop Culture

  • Many songs and movies deal with themes of infringement, whether it's about love boundaries or stealing ideas, reflecting the relevance of the term in everyday life.
  • Some famous lawsuits have emerged over alleged infringements in music, leading to public discussions about originality and creativity.

Origin of 'infringing'

The word 'infringe' originated from the Latin word 'infringere', which means 'to break' or 'to violate'. It entered the English language in the 16th century with a legal connotation of violating a law or right. Over time, its usage expanded to cover various forms of violation, both in legal and general contexts.

See also: infringe, infringement.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,027, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.