In the vast digital realm, where ideas and creations are easily shared, there’s a hidden issue called innocent copyright infringement.
It may sound strange, but it’s when people unintentionally violate someone else’s copyright.
It’s similar to unintentionally crossing an unknown boundary.
This concept raises important questions about creativity, ownership, and being responsible online.
This article speaks about an unintentional violation of copyright and provides you with useful insight on how to protect yourself from it.
Innocent copyright infringement occurs when someone unintentionally violates the exclusive rights of the rights holder.
Misunderstandings or a lack of awareness regarding intellectual property rights can frequently lead to this occurrence.
Innocent infringers may genuinely believe that they are not violating any laws or rights and may unknowingly use copyrighted material without proper authorisation.
In India, innocent infringement refers to a situation where someone unintentionally violates copyright law.
The Copyright Act of 1957 includes a provision called Section 55(1) that addresses this copyright dispute.
According to this provision, if the defendant can prove that they were unaware and had no reasonable grounds to believe that the copyrighted work existed at the time of the infringement, the plaintiff (the copyright owner) can only seek an injunction remedy to stop the infringement.
Additionally, the court has the sole discretion to determine the extent of any profits earned by the defendant from the sale of infringing copies and may include them as part of the decree.
In such situations, the plaintiff can pursue civil solutions solely against the unintentional violator.
In the case of Ghaffur Baksh v. Jwala Prasad, the Court made a ruling regarding copyright infringement.
The Court stated that if the pirated part is clearly identifiable and distinct, it can be restricted from being published.
But if the pirated part is intertwined with the lawful portion, the Court may prohibit the publication of the entire work to prevent further infringement.
Related Article: Infringement of Copyright in India
In the United States, there is a concept known as innocent infringement. This legal defense is outlined in Section 504(c)(2) of the Copyright Act.
This particular section states that if a person who has violated copyright law can prove that they were unaware of their actions infringing on copyright and had no reason to believe so, the court has the judicial discretion to reduce the number of statutory damages awarded to a minimum of $200.
The notion of strict liability for copyright infringement has not been a consistent practice throughout history.
The initial copyright statute only held individuals liable if they were aware of their infringement.
However, the Copyright Act of 1909 eliminated the requirement of knowledge for liability.
This change was carried forward in the Indian Act which is the current copyright law in effect.
To invoke the defense of innocent infringement, meeting certain criteria beyond unintentional infringement alone is essential.
According to Section 504, the defendant must not only demonstrate a lack of knowledge regarding the infringement of the plaintiff’s copyright but also establish that there was no reasonable basis to believe that their actions amounted to copyright infringement.
In cases where unintentional infringers are involved, the court has recognised instances where these individuals had reasonable grounds to believe that they were indeed infringing on a copyright.
These instances include:
Furthermore, courts have ruled that the defense of innocent infringement is only available to “unsophisticated” parties, excluding sophisticated entities such as large companies from claiming this defense.
There is a common misunderstanding that the defense of innocent infringement applies irrespective of the type of damages sought by the plaintiff for the infringement.
However, this defense is specifically addressed in Section 504(c) of the law, which pertains to allocating statutory damages.
Section 504 states that damages awarded for innocent infringement cannot be reduced.
To prevent infringers from using the defense, a plaintiff should seek actual damages under Section 504(b) instead of statutory damages under Section 504(c).
Innocent copyright infringement can manifest in various ways. Some common examples include:
Imagine a website owner searching for relevant images for their blog post.
They come across a captivating image on a search engine, unaware that it is protected by copyright.
Without obtaining the necessary permission or properly crediting the original creator, they unknowingly commit accidental copyright infringement.
A YouTuber creates a vlog and adds a popular copyrighted song as background music.
They genuinely enjoy the track and assume that using it in their video falls under fair use.
However, they are unaware that fair use does not automatically cover all instances of using copyrighted music in online content, resulting in innocent copyright infringement.
In the age of social media, it is easy to share content with the click of a button.
However, sharing copyrighted material, such as articles, images, or videos, without proper authorisation or attribution, can lead to unknowing copyright infringement.
While innocent copyright infringement may be unintentional, it can still have legal and financial consequences.
Copyright holders are authorised to take legal action against those who violate their rights, regardless of their intentions.
The consequences may include:
Preventing innocent copyright infringement requires awareness and due diligence. Here are some steps to avoid unintentionally infringing on someone else’s copyright:
Take the time to understand the basics of copyright law in your jurisdiction.
Familiarise yourself with the rights of copyright holders and the limitations and exceptions under fair use or fair dealing.
Whenever you plan to use copyrighted material, seek permission from the copyright owner. This includes images, music, text, and other creative works.
Make sure to document the permission granted for future reference.
You’re at the right place, contact us to know more.
Utilise resources that offer public domain or Creative Commons-licensed content.
These materials are often free to use, with proper attribution, or have fewer usage restrictions.
Before using any content, conduct thorough research to determine if it is protected by copyright.
Check for any licenses, watermarks, or copyright statements that indicate restrictions on usage.
When using copyrighted material under fair use or with permission, always provide proper attribution to the original creator.
This helps avoid confusion and demonstrates respect for their work.
Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder.
However, it is essential to note that fair use is not a blanket defense for all uses of copyrighted material.
Innocent infringers cannot rely solely on fair use as a defense if they have not met the necessary criteria.
Fair use depends on factors such as the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market for the original work.
It is essential to consult legal professionals or refer to applicable laws to determine if fair use applies in a specific situation.
Related Article: Fair Use Defense to Copyright Infringement
If you find yourself accused of unintentional copyright infringement, it’s crucial to take the following steps:
When assessing damages in copyright infringement cases, the court takes into account various factors.
A commonly used approach involves determining the lawful damages through the evaluation of the licensing fee that the offending party would have been required to pay the copyright holder for the utilisation of their copyrighted content.
The license fee will depend on how the artist or copyright owner typically licenses their work.
For instance, if someone wants to use copyrighted material for personal or non-commercial purposes, the artist may charge a one-time fee.
In cases of commercial use, additional fees may be charged by the artist depending on factors such as intended usage and duration of use.
The court has the authority to grant additional damages beyond the license fee, depending on a range of factors.
These factors include:
The severity of the infringement: The court considers how serious the infringement is, including whether it was done intentionally or with blatant disregard for the copyright owner’s rights.
Deterrence: The court aims to discourage others from committing similar copyright infringements in the future.
To achieve this, the court may award damages for copyright infringement that serve as a deterrent, sending a message to potential infringers that copyright violations will be taken seriously.
Defendant’s conduct: The court takes into account the behavior and actions of the defendant throughout the case. This includes how they responded to the infringement claims and whether they took any steps to rectify the situation.
The defendant’s conduct can influence the amount of actual damages awarded.
By understanding and upholding copyright laws, we can protect the legal rights of creators, promote a thriving creative ecosystem, and avoid unintentional infringement.
Unintentional infringement may lead to unforeseen outcomes.
It is important for individuals and businesses to have knowledge of copyright laws, obtain necessary permissions, and observe fair use when utilising copyrighted material.
By respecting intellectual property rights, we can foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and legal compliance.
No, innocent infringements of copyright is generally not a criminal offense.
It is often treated as a civil matter, where the copyright holder can pursue legal action for damages.
Ignorance is not a foolproof defense against copyright infringement.
Courts may take into account the infringer’s level of awareness as a potential factor in calculating damages in certain situations.
Infringement of copyright law is categorised as either innocent or intentional, with the former being considered a lesser offense despite still constituting a breach.
However, courts may consider intent when determining penalties or the type of damages awarded to the plaintiff.
Fair use can be a defense to copyright infringement claims, including innocent infringement.
The legal concept of fair use is intricate and necessitates a detailed examination of particular circumstances and elements.
To ensure your content does not infringe on copyright, always seek proper permissions, use public domain or Creative Commons licensed content, attribute sources correctly, and stay informed about copyright laws and fair use guidelines.
Reference:
https://bytescare.com/blog/innocent-copyright-infringement
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