The United States Copyright Office defines direct Copyright Infringement as the violation of a copyright holder's exclusive rights, which include the impermissible reproduction, distribution, performance, public display, or creation of a derivative work of copyrighted work. Title 17 of the United States Code, §§ 501-513 govern copyright infringement and related legal remedies. In addition, copyright infringement may be vicarious and contributory.
In order to establish a claim for copyright infringement, the copyright holder must show that: (1) a valid copyright exists; (2) the infringing party had access to the copyrighted work; and (3) the allegedly unlawful use does not fall within the copyright exceptions of fair use or instruction.
In the evolving digital landscape, the issue of copyright infringement has become increasingly significant. With the ease of sharing, copying, and distributing content online, understanding the boundaries of intellectual property rights is crucial not only for creators but also for businesses and users of copyrighted materials. Among the different types of copyright infringement, direct, vicarious, and contributory infringements stand out as fundamental legal concepts.