Copyright Infringement Overview

You may be able to pursue a copyright infringement case if someone uses, duplicates, or broadcasts your copyrighted work without permission-particularly to earn income. Examples of copyright infringement include illegal downloading of music or video files, recording and distributing a film before its DVD release, and plagiarizing (copying) text from print or online articles.

You may ask the court to grant an injunction, requiring that the offender stop violating your copyright. The court can also order that copies the offender made of your work be destroyed. You may sue to get a share of the profits derived from the unauthorized use of your work, as well as for punitive damages, and attorney and court costs.