According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), human creations, often referred to as intellectual property, are generally divided into two categories. One of those categories, which includes intellectual property such as novels, musical works, and artistic performance, is known as copyright. Infringement can be defined as an intrusion or violation of something. Copyright infringement law refers to regulations regarding the intrusions and violations of the rights pertaining to copyright creations.
When a person creates something such as an arrangement of words, shapes, or movements, certain entitlements also tend to come into existence. Those entitlements may belong to the creator or they may belong to another entity. For example, a document may be written by Tyler Jones but his employer, EEE Corporation, may own the copyright. If anyone other than EEE Corporation attempts to use that document in an unauthorized manner, EEE Corporation can seek justice by using copyright infringement law.
According to WIPO, the main entitlement of the possessor of a copyright is generally the ability to execute, authorize, or prohibit reproductions of the protected work, explaining the tendency for such entitlements to be referred to as copyrights. Laws pertaining to copyright can, however, do more than prohibit people from making unauthorized reproductions of another person’s intellectual works. These laws can also prohibit people from altering someone’s work. Plagiarism, which generally involves using part or all of someone’s work without acknowledging the creator, can also be dealt with by these laws.
Many people falsely believe that when copyright infringement laws exist, they only protect officially copyrighted work. When a work is officially copyrighted, a person or business has engaged in a legal process to register a copyright with the proper authorities. WIPO says that in most countries a work is protected the moment it is created. When this is the case, owners of intellectual property can seek protection of infringement laws even if their work is not registered.
Although the automatic creation and equal protection of both registered and unregistered copyrights is common, copyright infringement law is not consistent throughout the world. One reason for this is because the level of importance placed on creating and enforcing such law is not consistent. In some countries, intellectual property rights receive little attention. Another reason that copyright infringement law is not consistent worldwide is because different societies can have very different views regarding the rights that should be accorded for certain types of work.