Infringement of intellectual property refers to any act that infringes upon the exclusive rights conferred by law to a holder of intellectual property rights, without their authorisation. It may apply to patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, semiconductor topographies, or trade secrets.
· Patent infringement: manufacturing, using, selling, or importing a protected invention without authorisation (Articles L.613-1 et seq. of the French Code of intellectual property (CPI)).
· Trademark infringement: using an identical or similar trademark for products or services that are likely to confuse (Articles L.713-2 et seq. of the CPI).
· Copyright infringement: reproduction, distribution, or adaptation of a work without consent (Articles L.122-2 et seq. of the CPI).
· Unauthorised disclosure or use of a trade secret (Articles L.151-1 to L.151-7 of the Commercial Code).
Consequences:
· Infringement may result in civil proceedings (damages, injunctions, seizures) and sometimes criminal penalties.
It affects the economic and strategic value of intangible assets and the competitive position of the owner.