Does copying automatically equal copyright infringement?

Does copying automatically equal copyright infringement?

• A. No.
• B. Yes.
• C. Sometimes, depending on the jurisdiction.
• D. Only if the copying is for sale.

Answer: (A)

Copying a work is not automatically infringement because copyright law provides legitimate reasons to copy. You can copy if you have the rights holder’s permission, if the work is in the public domain, or if a legal exception applies—such as fair use in the United States or fair dealing in other countries. When copying fits one of these allowances, it isn’t infringing even though a copy exists. The idea that copying is always infringement ignores these permissions and exceptions, and while different places have different rules, the essential point is that permission or a sanctioned exception can make copying lawful.

Copying a work is not automatically infringement because copyright law provides legitimate reasons to copy. You can copy if you have the rights holder’s permission, if the work is in the public domain, or if a legal exception applies—such as fair use in the United States or fair dealing in other countries. When copying fits one of these allowances, it isn’t infringing even though a copy exists. The idea that copying is always infringement ignores these permissions and exceptions, and while different places have different rules, the essential point is that permission or a sanctioned exception can make copying lawful.